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Pakistan’s tall mystery spinner Usman Tariq announced his arrival at T20 World Cup 2026 stage with a three-fer against the USA on February 10. After Pakistan’s second win on the trot in group stage, Tariq feels that there will be extra pressure on India when the arch-rivals meet at Colombo’s R.Premadasa Stadium on February 15. He also said that he is not paying attention to what is being said in the media.
“I guess, there will be extra pressure on them. Because, the way they’re discussing these things, I think, if they’re just discussing it in that sense, meaning, they’re just objecting on that, it shows that, maybe, there will be extra pressure on them. But, I don’t know about it. I’m really focusing on my games. I don’t have any idea what’s going around in the media and stuff. It’s a simple thing that I’m just focusing on my cricket and practice,” Tariq said as quoted by the Indian Express.
Tariq not concerned about India-Pakistan head-to-head of late
India have had an upper hand over Pakistan in T20 World Cup fixtures. Out of eight, India have won seven times. Pakistan’s only World Cup win over India came in the 2021 edition.
Tariq played down the pressure of the high-voltage game. He feels that it is just another game for him and he is looking to stick to his plans.
“I think the record that we note down, I guess we should note it down from where we started losing. If you look at it from the beginning, then we have a good record from the beginning. So we should count also that. Because those are also the title matches. And apart from that, the match that is coming next, it’s like, obviously, all of us are focusing on one thing, that any game comes to us, any game to play, we have to give our best. And in this way, we have to win this World Cup. And just make it memorable for everyone. So it’s just a normal game for me, for the team. Because, when you’re just getting that hype, or that kind of thing on your mind, obviously, it’s better to keep it simple. And just stick to the plans, that’s it,” he said.
Tariq helps Pakistan win big
On his T20 World Cup debut, Tariq was introduced into the attack by Salman Agha in the 12th over. He kept USA batters’ guessing and the required run rate climbed up. By the time, he leaked a few boundaries, the game had already slipped out of the USA’s grasp. Pakistan won the match by 32 runs.
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