Warwickshire secure Usman Tariq's services for 2026 Vitality Blast

Warwickshire have announced the signing of Pakistan international Usman Tariq for their 2026 Vitality Blast campaign. 

Tariq will be calling the city of Birmingham home for the majority of the English summer this year. After representing the Bears for the T20 Blast, commencing 22 May, the spinner will then form part of the Birmingham Phoenix squad for The Hundred 2026. The 28-year-old was signed by the Edgbaston-based side for a whopping GBP 140,000 at the player auction earlier this year. 

“I am very excited to bring more fun and energy to the Bears. I can’t wait to get involved with the squad, and it’s a great feeling to be part of this team. I hope to see as many people as possible at Edgbaston this summer,” Tariq was quoted as saying on Warwickshire’s website. 

Having made his international debut in November 2025, Tariq has gone on to become one of the most feared T20 bowlers across the cricketing franchise. The right-arm spinner has taken 18 wickets from nine T20Is at an economy of just 6.66. He has played a total of 60 T20 matches in his professional career, where he has taken 89 wickets at an economy rate of 6.95 and a strike-rate of 15.30.

It is worth mentioning that Tariq also has a plethora of experience playing in various T20 franchise leagues across the globe. Apart from competing in the Pakistan Super League, where he has represented Quetta Gladiators, he also represented the Desert Vipers in the ILT20 and Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League.

The Bears have a history of signing Pakistani stars as their overseas players in the past few seasons. Some of the other Pakistan players to represent Warwickshire include Hasan Ali, Aamer Jamal and Mir Hamza. The latter, however, only played for the club in the County Championship. 

Warwickshire commence their Vitality Blast campaign against Gloucestershire in Bristol on Friday, May 22.