Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed full confidence that India will overcome arch-rivals Pakistan in their much-anticipated T20 World Cup showdown, but also highlighted one key danger that the men in blue need to be wary of. With a blockbuster clash scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, Harbhajan believes Pakistan’s all-rounder Usman Tariq could play a crucial role if India are not careful.
Speaking to ANI ahead of the Group A competition, Harbhajan said India has the strength and poise to win but warned against wasted chances against Tariq’s bowling.
“India will win the match,” Harbhajan said. “Pakistan has a spinner (Usman Tariq), he is a good spinner, we have to play safe with him.
Harbhajan also urged Suryakumar Yadav to approach the game with the same calm mindset they have shown in previous India-Pakistan encounters.
“The Indian team is capable, they are a very good team,” he said. “We hope they will play the way they have always played, play without any pressure and wave the flag to win.”
WHO IS USMAN TARIQ?
Usman Tariq has quickly become one of the most talked about names in the Pakistan camp before the clash with India. Although still new to international cricket, the 28-year-old has already built a reputation as a surprise for Pakistan in this World Cup.
Tariq has only appeared in four T20 Internationals so far, but his returns have been impressive, with 11 wickets and an economy rate of under six. His unique stop-and-pause action has created a lot of discussion, with batsmen finding it difficult to settle into a rhythm against him.
Unusual off-spinner mechanics they also drew with Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan, in large part due to Tariq’s hypermobile elbow, which prevents him from fully straightening his arm.
WHY IS USMAN TARIQ A THREAT TO INDIA?
India may have started their title defense with two straight wins, but spin has raised questions for them at the start of the tournament. The American spinners picked up three wickets while Namibia’s slow bowlers picked up five, exposing moments of discomfort in India’s middle overs.
This is where Tariq could become Pakistan’s biggest factor. His clumsy rhythm combined with sharp variations has the ability to break down a batter’s timing and force hard shots under pressure.
After sitting out Pakistan’s opener against the Netherlands, Tariq made an immediate impact by taking three wickets against the USA and showing that he is already in touch with the wicket.
With Colombo expected to offer some grip as the match progresses, Tariq’s enigma could give Pakistan their best chance to unsettle India. As Harbhajan pointed out, India’s challenge will be to remain patient, play it safe and not allow Pakistan’s latest spin weapon to dictate the contest.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 14, 2026