Is Usman Tariq Pakistan's Secret Weapon? Salman Agha Weighs In
Synopsis
As Pakistan prepares for a crucial T20 World Cup match against India, captain Salman Agha emphasizes Usman Tariq as their 'secret weapon' while dismissing concerns over Babar Azam's form. With a checkered history against India, can the team turn the tide?
Key Takeaways
Usman Tariq is viewed as Pakistan's key player in the upcoming T20 World Cup match.
Concerns about his bowling action have been dismissed as he has been cleared by the ICC.
Babar Azam's form is considered stable, with expectations for a strong showing.
Pakistan acknowledges its historical challenges against India in World Cups.
The team is focused on improving their performance in the match.
Colombo, Feb 14 (NationPress) The captain of Pakistan, Salman Ali Agha, has addressed the ongoing discussions regarding Usman Tariq and his distinctive bowling technique, labeling the spinner as the team's "secret weapon" for the crucial T20 World Cup encounter against India on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Tariq's unconventional bowling has come under scrutiny concerning its legality, especially due to a pause in his delivery stride, which involves holding his landing foot aloft before delivering the ball with an exaggerated delay.
In the lead-up to this highly anticipated match, Agha defended the spinner's action, remarking that it has been approved by the ICC on two occasions, questioning why there is still so much debate about it.
"For us, every player holds equal value. You have elevated Usman Tariq to this level. He has been performing excellently. He is our secret weapon. Usman has been cleared twice by the ICC. I am puzzled as to why there is talk about his action. He remains unaffected by this chatter," Agha shared with reporters in the pre-match press conference on Saturday.
Regarding Babar Azam's performance, Agha stated that the star batsman is not a concern for the team as they look forward to the match against India.
Babar, who scored an unbeaten fifty in the last T20I against Australia before the World Cup, had a rough outing with 15 runs off 18 balls in Pakistan's three-wicket victory over the Netherlands. However, he redeemed himself with a solid 46 off 32 balls against the USA.
"Babar Azam is not a worry for us. He has been consistently scoring runs. We hope he will contribute significantly tomorrow. We aim to keep the batting order stable," Agha mentioned.
India and Pakistan have shared the same group in the initial phases of the last five T20 World Cups and the last two 50-over World Cups. So far, the two teams have clashed eight times in the T20 World Cup, with India winning seven times and Pakistan managing only one victory (in 2021).
The Pakistan skipper acknowledged their less-than-favorable record against India in World Cups, stating, "We cannot alter history. Our World Cup record against India is not strong, but we will strive for improved performance."
Point of View
The narrative surrounding Usman Tariq highlights the importance of focusing on team dynamics and individual players’ strengths rather than getting sidetracked by controversies. The scrutiny of a player’s technique should not overshadow the collective aim of achieving success on the field. Pakistan's approach to the T20 World Cup is crucial, and maintaining a positive outlook is vital.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Usman Tariq called Pakistan's trump card?
Usman Tariq is referred to as Pakistan's trump card due to his unique bowling technique, which has proven effective in matches, especially in high-pressure situations like the T20 World Cup.
What concerns exist regarding Usman Tariq's bowling action?
There have been questions about the legality of Usman Tariq's bowling action, particularly regarding a pause in his delivery stride, but he has been cleared by the ICC twice.
How is Babar Azam's form viewed by the team?
Captain Salman Agha has expressed that Babar Azam's form is not a concern for the team, emphasizing his consistent scoring ability and hoping for a strong performance against India.
What is Pakistan's historical performance against India in World Cups?
Historically, Pakistan has struggled against India in World Cups, winning only once in the T20 format while India has secured victory on seven occasions.
How does Agha plan to address the team's batting order?
Agha aims to maintain stability in the batting order and is not looking to make significant changes, trusting in the players' abilities to perform.
