Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq has had a challenging path to international cricket. His cousin, Haseeb Ur Rahman, shared insights into his journey in an interview with The National.
Born in Peshawar, Tariq lost his father at a young age. Financial struggles forced him to start working early. As a teenager, he even traveled to Kabul seeking employment but faced harsh conditions and repeated setbacks.
Tariq later moved to Dubai, following Haseeb, and lived in labor accommodations near Sonapur. He worked long hours in a hotel kitchen, spending his days cutting onions to support his family. Despite these hardships, cricket remained a constant part of his life.
He eventually found a more stable job at a car parts company. While the job provided security, it limited his time for cricket. He continued to play whenever possible. A key opportunity arose during a Peshawar Zalmi talent hunt in Dubai. Tariq impressed the selectors, but work commitments prevented him from pursuing it immediately.
Street cricket in Deira marked a turning point. Tariq shifted from pace to spin bowling, developing a unique style that soon troubled batters. In 2017, he made a bold decision to leave his job and return to Pakistan to pursue cricket full-time, despite being the main family earner.
The decision paid off. Usman Tariq has since built a strong T20 career, including claiming a hat-trick in just his second international match. He also played a key role in the Desert Vipers’ ILT20 title-winning campaign.
Recently, Tariq faced scrutiny over his bowling action during matches against Australia and England. Haseeb says these pressures do not shake him, noting, “He is like a gladiator.”
In other related news also read Usman Tariq Cleared to Rejoin Quetta Gladiators Squad
From hotel kitchens and labor accommodations to the international cricket stage, Usman Tariq’s story is a testament to perseverance, hard work, and resilience.
