On November 24, 2025, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan’s off-spinner Usman Tariq didn’t just win a match—he rewrote history. In just his second T20 International appearance, the 27-year-old from Peshawar claimed a stunning hat-trick against Zimbabwe, finishing with 4-18 in a match that ended in a 69-run victory for Pakistan. The feat made him only the fourth Pakistani ever to take a T20I hat-trick, joining the elite company of Faheem Ashraf (2017), Mohammad Hasnain (2019), and his own teammate Mohammad Nawaz (2025).
A Hat-Trick Born of Chaos and Control
The sequence was pure theatre. First, Tony Munyonga tried to sweep, only to spoon the ball straight to short fine-leg. Then came Tashinga Musekiwa—clean bowled through the gate. And finally, Wellington Masakadza, caught at long-on after attempting a massive heave. The crowd fell silent between deliveries, then erupted as the third wicket fell. Tariq’s pace? Between 70 and 82 km/h. His secret weapon? A googly so sharp it fooled even seasoned T20 batters. As ABC News noted, he dismissed Tinotenda Maposa with a delivery that looked like a leg-break but spun the other way. "I wasn’t expecting a big shot on the hat-trick ball," Tariq said after the match. "Thanks to the batter. Credit to my captain." It wasn’t luck. It was execution. His coaches in Peshawar, My, As Qures, and Zib Khan, had spent years refining his action—two variations, precise pace control, and a rhythm that looked effortless. "There’s a big process behind my action," he said. "It’s not about raw speed. It’s about balance. Body forward. Mind calm."A Journey From Dubai to the Spotlight
What makes Tariq’s story even more remarkable is how he got here. He wasn’t plucked from a domestic circuit. He walked away from a stable job in the United Arab Emirates—a life of security—to chase a dream many said was unrealistic. He turned down offers to represent the United States and Oman, both eager to recruit him under their emerging cricket programs. "If I had chosen to play for the US or Oman," he told Dawn.com, "I wouldn’t have achieved the same recognition that I have representing Pakistan. The vision was clear: I had to play for Pakistan, and I did." He calls his years in domestic cricket not a "struggle," but a "process." "People say domestic cricket is a struggle," he explained. "To me, struggle is not having food. What I went through? That was learning. That was growth."
Numbers That Speak Louder Than Words
In just two T20Is, Tariq has taken six wickets at an average of 7.33 and an economy rate of 5.50. Only two bowlers in history—Australia’s Nathan Ellis (2021) and Kuwait’s Shahrukh Quddus (2022)—have taken a T20I hat-trick in fewer matches. Both did it on their debut. Tariq did it in his second. That’s not just rare. It’s statistically astonishing. Pakistan posted 195, thanks to a blistering 74 from Babar Azam and a vital 63 from Sahibzada Farhan in a 103-run stand. Zimbabwe fought back with Ryan Burl’s 67 off 49 balls, but the damage was done. They were bowled out for 126 in 19 overs.What This Means for Pakistan Cricket
This win was Pakistan’s third straight in the tri-series, sealing their spot in the final. Sri Lanka, who’ve lost both games so far, face Zimbabwe on November 26, 2025. But the real story isn’t the tournament—it’s the emergence of a player who represents something deeper. Tariq is the quiet rebel who chose national pride over convenience. He’s proof that raw talent, when paired with discipline and identity, can rise above circumstance. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed this was the sixth T20I hat-trick of 2025—more than in any previous calendar year. The format is evolving. Batters are taking more risks. Bowlers are adapting. And now, a 27-year-old from Peshawar has shown how to turn risk into reward.
What’s Next for Usman Tariq?
He’s already said it: he wants to do this against India. "Those matches mean everything," he told reporters. "I didn’t leave everything behind to play in friendly games. I want to be remembered when Pakistan plays India." The next test? The tri-series final. And then, possibly, the T20 World Cup. But for now, he’s content with a quiet moment: "My hard work is in my control. The outcome? That’s with Allah."Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is a T20I hat-trick, and who else has done it for Pakistan?
Only four Pakistani bowlers have ever taken a T20I hat-trick: Faheem Ashraf (2017), Mohammad Hasnain (2019), Mohammad Nawaz (2025), and now Usman Tariq (2025). Globally, fewer than 50 have been recorded since T20Is began in 2005. Tariq achieved it in his second match—only the third time ever in the format.
Why did Usman Tariq turn down opportunities to play for the US and Oman?
Tariq rejected offers from the US and Oman because he believed representing Pakistan was his true calling. He felt playing for those nations would offer financial security but not the emotional or cultural fulfillment he sought. "I wouldn’t have achieved the same recognition," he said, emphasizing his deep connection to Pakistan’s cricketing identity.
What role did his Peshawar coaches play in his success?
Coaches My, As Qures, and Zib Khan developed Tariq’s unique action, focusing on two variations: pace and spin. They trained him to stay balanced, drive his body forward, and trust his instincts. Their mentorship turned a domestic journeyman into a match-winner, instilling in him the belief that he could succeed on his own merit.
How does Tariq’s performance compare to other recent T20I hat-tricks?
Tariq’s 4-18 is among the most economical hat-trick figures in T20I history. Only Nathan Ellis (2021) and Shahrukh Quddus (2022) achieved the feat in fewer matches. But Tariq’s impact was greater—he didn’t just take three wickets; he dismantled Zimbabwe’s middle order in a high-pressure chase, sealing a 69-run win.
What’s the significance of this hat-trick for Pakistan’s 2025 tri-series?
Tariq’s performance gave Pakistan their third consecutive win, securing their place in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe. With Sri Lanka already eliminated, Pakistan’s path to the final is clear. More importantly, it signaled a new generation of bowlers ready to carry Pakistan’s legacy forward in the shortest format.
Is this the first hat-trick of 2025 for Pakistan?
No. Mohammad Nawaz took a hat-trick earlier in 2025 against South Africa, making him the third Pakistani that year. Tariq’s feat was the sixth T20I hat-trick globally in 2025, reflecting a trend of more aggressive batting and smarter, more varied bowling in the format.
