NEW DELHI: Pakistan pacer Usman Tariq and his connection to former Indian captain and legend MS Dhoni might seem unlikely at first glance, but it is a story rooted in inspiration rather than direct association.
As the T20 World Cup 2026 unfolds, Tariq has emerged as a major talking point, largely due to his unusual bowling action that has sparked debate, scrutiny and fascination in equal measure.
While discussions around checks, pauses and legality dominate the chatter, there is a lesser-known MS Dhoni connection behind Tariq’s journey to international cricket.
A career that almost ended
Back in 2016, a disillusioned Tariq had virtually walked away from the game. Repeated snubs in Pakistan’s domestic circuit left him frustrated and mentally drained.
With responsibilities to shoulder, he moved to Dubai and took up a demanding job as a salesman and logistics officer at a procurement firm, working long hours to support his family.
Dhoni film sparks comeback
The turning point came unexpectedly when Tariq watched the biographical film MS Dhoni: The Untold Story. The scenes depicting Dhoni’s early struggles as a ticket examiner in Kharagpur, balancing a routine job with an unshakeable dream of playing for India, struck a deep chord.
“I left the game after I did not get selected and started working as a salesman in a purchasing company in Dubai. One day, I watched M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, and it inspired me a lot. I left the job and went back to Pakistan to pursue cricket again,” Tariq revealed in a recent interview to Telecom Asia Sport in 2025.
