BIRMINGHAM, England: Warwickshire Bears have pulled off a major coup by signing Pakistan’s emerging mystery spinner Usman Tariq for this year’s Vitality Blast, beginning May 22.
The 30-year-old, who has become one of the most sought-after bowlers in the global franchise circuit, turned down multiple offers from leagues worldwide to commit to the Bears. His signing not only strengthens Warwickshire’s attack but also ensures Tariq will spend the bulk of England’s summer at Edgbaston, as he will seamlessly transition into The Hundred with Birmingham Phoenix, who had already secured him for £140,000 in the March draft.
Worth the wait 🎰
Full Story on Usman Tariq joining the Bears ✍️ https://t.co/qWY3J10nYQ
🐻 #YouBears pic.twitter.com/MWJdf3wioc
— Bears (@WarwickshireCCC) May 5, 2026
The right-arm spinner, known for his unusual action, which he has previously explained as having “two elbows” in his arm, brings a unique threat to the white-ball game. While his PSL 2026 campaign for Quetta Gladiators yielded modest figures (nine wickets in 10 matches at an economy of 7.55), Tariq proved his class on the international stage.
Despite Pakistan’s struggles at the T20 World Cup, he claimed 10 wickets in six matches at an outstanding average of 14.10, including a crucial 2-31 against England.
Overall, his T20 career boasts 89 wickets in 60 matches at an economy of just 6.95. In T20Is, since his debut in 2025, he has taken 18 wickets in nine appearances, including a hat-trick in only his second international match.
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Reacting to the move, Tariq expressed his excitement: “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.”
Warwickshire’s Performance Director, James Thomas, was equally delighted, calling Tariq ‘exactly the type of high-impact player’ the club was looking for. “His skill set and tactical awareness make him a genuine threat in modern white-ball cricket, but it’s his hunger to compete and continually improve that really stands out,” Thomas said.
Making Edgbaston his home this summer 🏠 pic.twitter.com/u55l3Aj1h5
— Edgbaston Stadium (@Edgbaston) May 5, 2026
He added that the alignment between Warwickshire and Birmingham Phoenix made the signing particularly exciting. “Bringing Usman into the Bears for the Vitality Blast, before transitioning into The Hundred with the Phoenix, reflects the strength of our integrated model across club and franchise.
It allows us to create continuity for the player, maximise performance impact across both competitions, and build stronger connections with our supporters. Ultimately, this is about strengthening the team, the franchise, and our presence in the area, and we believe Usman can play a key role in that this summer.”
