A remark made by Pakistan selector Aaqib Javed comparing Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah with Pakistan’s emerging spinner Usman Tariq has sparked widespread discussion in the cricketing world. Javed described Bumrah as the “Usman Tariq of fast bowling,” referring to the unconventional nature of the Indian pacer’s bowling action and the difficulty it creates for batters trying to settle into a rhythm.
The statement came during a press conference where Javed spoke about the challenges batsmen face against bowlers with unusual bowling actions. His comments were made in the context of Bumrah’s performances during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where the Indian pacer played a key role in India’s title-winning campaign.
Bumrah once again proved his reputation as one of the world’s most effective fast bowlers during the tournament. His disciplined bowling, ability to control pace variations and deadly yorkers were crucial to India’s success. Javed’s comparison aimed to highlight how Bumrah’s distinctive action and style disrupt a batter’s rhythm in a similar way to mystery spinner Usman Tariq.
While the remark surprised many observers, it was intended to emphasise the unusual and difficult nature of Bumrah’s bowling technique rather than to directly compare the experience or achievements of the two players.
Bumrah’s Impact at the T20 World Cup
During the tournament, Bumrah delivered several match-winning performances for India and finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the competition. He shared the top spot with Varun Chakaravarthy, with both bowlers claiming 14 wickets during the event.
Bumrah’s most memorable performance came in the final, where he dismantled the batting lineup of New Zealand national cricket team. The Indian pacer produced an outstanding spell, taking four wickets for just 13 runs and playing a decisive role in securing India’s victory.
His ability to deliver under pressure has been a defining feature of his career. Known for his unusual bowling action, Bumrah releases the ball from a unique angle, making it difficult for batters to anticipate deliveries. Combined with his accuracy and variations, this has made him one of the most feared bowlers in modern cricket.
Javed’s comment highlighted the tactical advantage of such unconventional bowling styles. According to him, bowlers with unique actions can prevent batters from settling into their rhythm, which often leads to mistakes and wickets.
Usman Tariq, who recently made his international debut for Pakistan, has also attracted attention for his unusual bowling action. The mystery spinner became a talking point during the T20 World Cup due to his stop-start run-up and unpredictable deliveries.
Despite being relatively new to international cricket, Tariq performed impressively in the tournament. He took 10 wickets in six matches, including a four-wicket haul against Namibia national cricket team in a crucial match.
Developments in Pakistan Cricket After the World Cup
The remarks about Bumrah and Tariq came amid several developments within Pakistan cricket following the team’s disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup. Pakistan failed to reach the semifinal stage of the tournament for the second consecutive edition, exiting in the Super Eight round.
Reports had earlier suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board planned to impose heavy fines on players following the team’s poor performance. According to those reports, players were allegedly going to be fined around PKR 50 lakh each.
However, these reports were later denied by PCB spokesperson Amir Mir. He clarified that no fines had been imposed on players, although the board was exploring a new incentive structure that would reward players more when they perform well.
The PCB currently categorises players into several central contract groups, each with different monthly retainers. Under this structure, players in Category A previously received around PKR 65 lakh per month, while Category B players earned about PKR 45 lakh, Category C players around PKR 20 lakh and Category D players approximately PKR 12.5 lakh.
However, the board recently removed Category A contracts in its latest list covering July 2025 to June 2026. Players now earn a monthly retainer under their central contracts along with match fees, tour allowances and performance bonuses.
In addition, Pakistan players receive a share of the board’s commercial revenues. Under a new arrangement introduced last year, players are entitled to three percent of the PCB’s annual income from the International Cricket Council.
Injury Concerns and Selection Changes
Aaqib Javed also raised concerns about injuries within the Pakistan squad during the T20 World Cup. According to him, the selection committee only learned about injuries to key players after the tournament had concluded.
He said that Babar Azam was currently sidelined due to an injury that prevents him from playing in the ongoing ODI series against Bangladesh national cricket team and the domestic National T20 Cup.
Javed also mentioned that Fakhar Zaman was dealing with fitness issues. He called for an inquiry to determine whether players were participating in the World Cup despite not being fully fit.
According to Javed, selectors should be informed about the fitness status of players before major tournaments. He said it was concerning that injuries to key players were only communicated after the tournament had already ended.
Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha faced disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council. The ICC reprimanded him for breaching the code of conduct related to abuse of cricket equipment during an international match. Along with the reprimand, Agha was handed one demerit point.
Pakistan cricket has also seen changes in its selection committee following the World Cup. Veteran umpire Aleem Dar resigned from the panel, while former players Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed were brought in to strengthen the committee.
The revamped selection panel will soon face its next challenge when it begins selecting the squad for Pakistan’s upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh after the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League 2026 season.
