On a crisp November evening in Rawalpindi, Usman Tariq didn’t just bowl — he etched his name into Pakistan’s cricketing history. The 27-year-old off-spinner, in only his second T20I appearance, delivered a hat-trick that shattered Zimbabwe’s chase and propelled Pakistan into the final of the tri-series. It happened on the Pakistan T20I tri-series 2025Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where Tariq’s four-over spell of 4 for 18 — including 13 dot balls — turned a tight contest into a rout. His hat-trick, the fourth by a Pakistani in T20Is, came in devastating fashion: Tony Munyonga spooned a sweep to short fine-leg, Tashinga Musekiwa was clean bowled, and Wellington Masakadza holed out to long-on. The crowd erupted. The scoreboard froze. And suddenly, a debutant from Peshawar was the talk of the cricketing world.
A Bowler Born in the Shadows
Usman Tariq wasn’t on anyone’s radar before this tournament. He’d played domestic cricket for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but his international call-up came only after injuries rattled Pakistan’s spin options. His debut against South Africa just weeks earlier had been quiet — 2 wickets in 8 overs. But here, under the lights of Rawalpindi, everything clicked. His action, honed by coaches in Peshawar, blends subtle wrist variation with deceptive pace. "There’s a big process behind my action," he said post-match. "They taught me two kinds of variations. I just had to trust them." What made it more remarkable? He didn’t see the hat-trick coming. "I wasn’t expecting a big shot on the hat-trick ball," he admitted. "Thanks to the batter. Credit to my captain." That humility, that groundedness — it’s what makes his rise so compelling.
How Pakistan Built the Winning Total
While Tariq stole the headlines, Pakistan’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive middle-order play. Babar Azam anchored the innings with a fluent 74 off 52 balls, his trademark cover drives slicing through Zimbabwe’s field placements. Then came Sahibzada Farhan, who exploded with 63 off just 41 — 11 fours and three sixes that turned the game’s momentum. By the 15th over, Pakistan were 145 for 2. Enter Fakhar Zaman, whose 27 off 10 balls — including two sixes and two fours — turned the final three overs into a demolition derby. The 196-run total, Pakistan’s highest in this series, felt unassailable. And it was.
Zimbabwe’s Fight and the One Bright Spark
Zimbabwe didn’t roll over. Captain Sikandar Raza fought hard with 23 off 18, and Ryan Burl — the man who once terrorized England in T20s — played his best innings of the tournament: 67 off 49, with eight boundaries and two sixes. But the rest of the batting order collapsed like a house of cards. After Burl’s dismissal in the 18th over, Zimbabwe lost their last five wickets for just 16 runs. Every Pakistani bowler took at least one wicket — a testament to how thoroughly the home side dominated. The 69-run margin wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
Historical Context: The Pakistani Hat-Trick Club
Before Tariq, only three Pakistanis had ever taken a T20I hat-trick: Faheem Ashraf (2017 vs West Indies), Mohammad Hasnain (2019 vs Sri Lanka), and Mohammad Nawaz (2025 vs England). All were fast bowlers. Tariq is the first spinner to do it for Pakistan — and only the second to achieve it on home soil, after Nawaz’s 2025 feat in Lahore. Globally, 2025 has seen six T20I hat-tricks — more than any previous year — signaling a shift in bowling aggression. But Tariq’s performance stands out for its control. Four overs. Four wickets. Zero wides. No no-balls. Just precision.
What’s Next? The Final Looms
Pakistan has now won all four of their matches in the tri-series, and with Sri Lanka still in contention, the final — expected at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium — will be a showdown between the two unbeaten teams. The exact date hasn’t been confirmed, but officials say it’ll be within 72 hours. For Tariq, the spotlight will intensify. At 27, he’s an older debutant, but that might be his advantage. He’s not chasing glory — he’s earned it. His stats now? Six wickets in two matches at an average of 7.33 and an economy rate of 5.50. That’s not just good. That’s elite.
Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
This isn’t just about one hat-trick. It’s about depth. Pakistan’s spin department, long seen as a weakness, now has a rising star who can close games under pressure. Tariq’s rise also signals a shift in talent discovery — from big-name academies to grassroots coaches in Peshawar who quietly built a bowler who could outthink world-class batsmen. Social media buzzed. "While everyone was too busy with the kids of Rising Star Asia Cup," tweeted @rajatahir27, "in Pindi, Usman Tariq became the 4th Pakistani International to take a hat-trick in T20I." That tweet captures the quiet rebellion of this moment: greatness doesn’t always come with hype. Sometimes, it comes from a quiet room, a coach’s whisper, and a bowler who just believes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is a T20I hat-trick for Pakistan?
Only four Pakistani bowlers have ever taken a T20I hat-trick, with Usman Tariq becoming the fourth on November 23, 2025. He’s the first spinner to do it for Pakistan and only the second to achieve it on home soil. Globally, 2025 has seen six hat-tricks — the most in a single year — but Tariq’s remains the most controlled, with 13 dot balls in his four-over spell.
What makes Usman Tariq’s bowling action unique?
Tariq’s action, developed by coaches in Peshawar, blends subtle wrist variations with controlled pace changes. Unlike traditional off-spinners who rely on flight, he uses a forward body lean and a late dip to deceive batsmen. His two signature variations — a slower arm ball and a knuckle ball — were key to his hat-trick, especially on the final delivery when Zimbabwe’s Wellington Masakadza mistimed a big shot.
How did Pakistan’s batting contribute to the win?
Pakistan posted 196 thanks to a powerful middle-order surge. Babar Azam anchored with 74 off 52, Sahibzada Farhan smashed 63 off 41, and Fakhar Zaman finished with a blistering 27 off just 10 balls. The last three overs yielded 54 runs — the highest in the series — turning what could’ve been a close game into a 69-run rout. This depth is what makes Pakistan’s batting so dangerous now.
Who are the other Pakistani bowlers with T20I hat-tricks?
The three others are Faheem Ashraf (2017 vs West Indies), Mohammad Hasnain (2019 vs Sri Lanka), and Mohammad Nawaz (2025 vs England). All were pace bowlers. Nawaz’s hat-trick came in Lahore just months before Tariq’s, making Pakistan the only team to have two hat-tricks in the same calendar year. Tariq’s achievement breaks the mold — he’s a spinner, a late bloomer, and now, a national hero.
What’s the significance of Tariq’s performance for Pakistan’s future?
Tariq’s emergence solves Pakistan’s long-standing spin depth issue. With Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah also in the mix, Pakistan now has multiple match-winners across formats. His ability to bowl death overs with control — 13 dot balls in four overs — makes him invaluable in high-pressure T20 scenarios. If he maintains this form, he could be Pakistan’s first-choice spinner for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
When and where will the tri-series final be held?
The final is expected to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium within the next 72 hours, likely on November 26 or 27. Pakistan will face either Zimbabwe or Sri Lanka, depending on the outcome of their final round-robin match. The venue remains unchanged, and ticket sales are already surging as fans rush to witness what could be Tariq’s crowning moment.
