ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Usman Tariq defends Babar, Shaheen over poor performance in Pak Vs India match

2026-02-17 - 08:26

COLOMBO – Pakistan national team spinner Usman Tariq has come to the defence of teammates Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, stressing that one poor performance does not define a player’s contribution. Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, Tariq highlighted that both players have been instrumental in winning several matches for Pakistan and that setbacks are a natural part of the game. Tariq said the team focuses on addressing mistakes through post-match analysis. “Challenges arise only when errors are ignored. We have worked on our mistakes, and if we avoid repeating them, there will be no difficulty,” he explained. He added that he did not sense any pressure on the team during matches. “Experiencing pressure is normal, but controlling it is part of the job, and we have worked on that,” he said. Commenting on the T20 World Cup clash against India, Tariq said, “Babar, Shaheen, and Shadab have won many matches for Pakistan. If one game doesn’t go well, it’s part of the sport. Winning and losing are both aspects of cricket. Pakistan-India matches are watched by the entire nation. We gave our best and will aim to perform even better next time.” He added that creating pressure for the opposition motivates him to perform at his best. “When opponents prepare specifically because of me, it drives me to do even better,” he said. Tariq also stressed that the team’s primary goal is to reach and win the final. “Our focus is on winning; the opponent doesn’t matter,” he said. Regarding the playing XI, he noted that selection decisions are made by the captain, coach, and selectors and must be supported by the team. On a personal note, Tariq revealed that his return to international cricket was inspired by former Indian captain MS Dhoni, whose example motivated him to make a comeback and continue contributing to the team. ICC T20 WC 2026: How senior cricketers react to Pakistan’s defeat against India?