Usman Tariq Bags £140,000 Birmingham Phoenix Contract, Becomes First Pakistani Picked in The Hundred Men's Auction

Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq will be playing in The Hundred 2026 after being selected in the men's auction. It was the Birmingham Phoenix who managed to acquire the spinner at the price of 140,000.

Both the Birmingham Phoenix and Trent Rockets wanted to sign the spinner, after a short battle between the two sides to get their hands on Usman Tariq, it was the Birmingham Phoenix who came out with the signing.

It is a big signing because Usman Tariq has become the first Pakistani to be selected in the men's auction this year.

Birmingham Phoenix Secures the Services of Usman Tariq

The Pakistani mystery spinner will surely bring a lot to the Birmingham Phoenix team. Tariq has proven in T20's over the last couple of years what he is capable of.

In the last two seasons of T20 cricket, Usman Tariq has taken a total of 78 wickets in the 47 T20's he has bowled in. He has averaged a remarkable 16 runs per wicket which for a T20 bowler is exceptional. As well as picking up wickets he has managed to keep his economy down with a bowling average of 1.15 runs per ball.

Something else that makes Usman Tariq quite a unique prospect is the type of bowler he is, his style of bowling is hard to pick and will give batters who have not faced him many problems.

Taking all these points into consideration, it's likely the Birmingham Phoenix feel they've done good business.

Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf Miss Out

Although Usman Tariq has signed, two other big Pakistani names could not get their hands on a deal in the men's auction.

The earlier names in the auction included Haris Rauf but unfortunately, the quick bowler could not find himself a team in the men's auction.

Later on in the proceedings, it was Shadab Khan who would go on to be unsold, Shadab was a part of Birmingham Phoenix in 2023's The Hundred.

Despite going unsold both players still have an opportunity to find a team with the final nominated round, where teams can make additions to their final squads.