Batters are more prepared against Usman Tariq, he needs to do something different: Saud Shakeel

Usman Tariq (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Usman Tariq made a rapid impact on international cricket following his T20I debut against South Africa at Lahore in November 2025. His performances across multiple T20 leagues during 2026 have kept him in the spotlight, competing in the Pakistan Super League, The Hundred and the Caribbean Premier League.

Pakistan middle order batter Saud Shakeel has now offered a candid assessment of Tariq’s current standing in the game. According to Shakeel, the initial novelty surrounding the spinner may be diminishing as opposition batters have begun to study and prepare for his methods. The left-handed batter believes Tariq must now evolve his approach to maintain his effectiveness at the highest level.

“Usman Tariq made his mark in the cricket world in no time, but now batters come prepared against him. Usman will now have to do something different to prove himself,” Shakeel was quoted as saying by journalist Arfa Feroz Zake on X.

What Shakeel said about Tariq’s need to evolve

Tariq’s most recent league assignment came in the Caribbean Premier League, where he played for Trinbago Knight Riders. Across nine matches in that tournament, he claimed 10 wickets at an average of 21.30 with an economy rate of 6.26 and best figures of 3/21. These figures demonstrate his continued ability to take wickets, though Shakeel’s assessment suggests that batters are becoming more adept at countering his approach.

The challenge Shakeel has identified is one that many specialist bowlers encounter as their careers develop. Once batters become familiar with a bowler’s patterns and methods, the element of novelty that initially made them effective can diminish. For Tariq, the path forward will require tactical innovation and continued refinement of his bowling arsenal to maintain his impact in international cricket.

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In international cricket, Tariq has played nine T20Is, in which he has picked up 18 wickets at a mind-boggling average of 11.16 and an equally impressive economy rate of 6.66. This includes two four-wicket hauls and best figures of 4/16, which came against Namibia in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

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