T20 World Cup 2026: Moeen Ali breaks down Pakistan mystery spinner Usman Tariq’s bowling before India showdown | Exclusive

England all-rounder Moeen Ali has shared his insights on Pakistan’s latest mystery spinner, Usman Tariq, who is the talk of the town ahead of the marquee India versus Pakistan clash in T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be played on February 15 in Colombo.

Only four T20Is old in his career, Tariq has shot himself into the limelight with his pause-and-release bowling action. It is no ordinary pause: Tariq has an exaggerated delay as he holds the pose in his delivery stride, with his landing foot suspended in the air. He then releases the ball in a swift motion, but the pause often messes up the batter's timing.

Tariq has multiple variations up his sleeve, as he delivers side-arm and slingy off-breaks, which make him both unorthodox and deceptive. He has been reported for suspect action twice but was cleared after testing at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on both occasions.

Moeen shared his experience of playing against him, admitting that he was “very difficult” to counter and how his long fingers help him generate pace.

“I have faced him [Usman Tariq] a couple of times. He is very difficult. He has a little bit of pause, but it is the pace he gets [which troubles the batters]. He has very long fingers. He has very strong fingers, also. It is the pace he gets off the wicket and, in the air, with almost nothing to back him up. He has a delay [in the bowling action]. You would think you could play that type of bowler. It should be easy, but it is very difficult," Moeen said on the latest episode of Mr Cricket UAE podcast.

Moeen further broke down his bowling action, explaining how unique he is. He also shared his view on the legality of his action, deeming it legal.

“Even though it is slower than probably normal spinners, it is quick from where he is delivering and how he is delivering the ball. So, he has that delay. He almost holds it and then flicks it out. His arm is quite low, but it is like a leg-spinner, but from the side of the hand, almost. It is a very unique way of bowling. You would think it is just a normal... I believe if he bowled with a normal arm speed and everything, I think he would not be playing.

"[On the legality of his bowling action] I think it is a legal action. I do not know the rules in terms of delaying and holding or whatever, or how long you can delay for, but in terms of his arm and everything, it is a legal action. And I do not know if you have seen his... He has actually got like two elbows. He has got a bone there. He has got another bone that comes out the side, but his action is fine," Moeen said.

Moeen reckoned that the best way for the Indian batters to counter Tariq would be attacking him and looking to score runs off him as quickly as possible, denying him to find his rhythm.

"[Would Indian batters be able to pick Tariq?] I do not think they will struggle in terms of scoring against him. Scoring against him might be the solution. But he would be giving India the most problems, because they have not faced him," he concluded.