The hype created around Usman Tariq is a psychological victory for us: Mohammad Hafeez

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has reckoned that the hype created around their off-spinner Usman Tariq is a psychological victory for the Men In Green ahead of their game against India on Sunday, February 15, in Colombo.

Speaking on a local Pakistan show, the former cricketer asserted that despite playing only a few games for the national team, Tariq went on to create a lot of panic within the Indian camp ahead of the marquee clash.

"If we go inside the cricketing aspect, the hype created around Usman Tariq is another psychological victory for us. Right now, no one is talking about Babar Azam or any other player. People are talking only about Usman Tariq. He has played just one or two games for Pakistan, but just imagine the amount of panic he has created in the Indian camp. They are specifically practicing against him in their sessions,” Mohammad Hafeez said.

"How many times have you seen so much discussion about just one player? The entire media, the hype, the world, they are not only thinking about the match result, but about what Usman Tariq will do tomorrow," he added.

Furthermore, Hafeez has shared a piece of advice for Pakistan skipper, Salman Ali Agha, asserting that he needs to use Tariq quite aggressively to create more impact against the Men In Blue.

"Now I want to see how positively Salman Agha makes decisions as captain and how he uses Usman Tariq. If he uses him defensively, nothing will work for Pakistan. You need an attacking mindset when you use Usman Tariq. It could even be the sixth over, which I believe is always a very important over for a bowling unit, usually bowled by your most impactful bowler,” he noted.

"I want to see what planning they come up with regarding Usman Tariq, because if he is used in an attacking zone, I think he will be very impactful. I’m not saying that Abrar, Nawaz, or Shadab won’t make a difference, but right now, all the attention is on Usman Tariq," he concluded.

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