Bollywood-style comeback! Pakistan’s mystery spinner Usman Tariq returns to cricket after watching MS Dhoni biopic

Inspired by a Bollywood film, Pakistan's Usman Tariq left a stable job in Dubai to chase his cricket dreams. The 27-year-old mystery spinner, now in Pakistan's T20I squad, impressed with 20 wickets in the CPL. His unique, side-arm action, stemming from a physical peculiarity, was cleared after testing, marking a remarkable comeback.

Usman Tariq and MS Dhoni (IANS Photo)

NEW DELHI: Pakistan's mystery spinner Usman Tariq has revealed that his remarkable return to cricket was inspired by the MS Dhoni biopic, which reignited his passion for the sport after years away from the game.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The 27-year-old, who has earned his maiden call-up to Pakistan's T20I squad for the ongoing three-match series against South Africa, said he left a stable job in Dubai to give his cricketing dream one last shot.

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“I left the game after I did not get selected, and was working as a salesman in a purchasing company in Dubai. There I watched MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and it inspired me a lot. I left the job and came back to Pakistan to pursue cricket again,” Tariq told Telecom Asia Sport. His gamble paid off. Tariq claimed 20 wickets in the 2025 Caribbean Premier League, finishing second only to veteran Imran Tahir. Now, he stands on the cusp of a potential international debut for Pakistan. Tariq's bowling action has attracted plenty of attention — and some controversy. He pauses dramatically in his delivery stride, almost coming to a complete halt before hurling the ball with a side-arm flick reminiscent of Ravichandran Ashwin. Although his action was initially reported as illegal during the 2024 Pakistan Super League, he was later cleared after biomechanical testing in Lahore. The spinner explained that his action is partly due to a physical peculiarity: “I was born with a unique right elbow which has two corners,” Tariq said. Looking back, Tariq says his story is one of belief and resilience. “I just want to play for Pakistan and perform. It took a long time to reach here, but every setback has made me stronger,” he added. From a Dubai salesman to Pakistan's latest mystery spinner — Usman Tariq's journey proves that cinematic dreams can sometimes become reality.

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