In the high-stakes world of T20 World Cup Super 8s, England’s Liam Dawson is keeping cool heads amid hype around Pakistan’s Usman Tariq. The left-arm spinner insists his team won’t be rattled by the mystery man’s theatrics as they prepare for Tuesday’s showdown, fresh off a convincing 51-run thrashing of Sri Lanka.
Victory here catapults England into the semi-finals via a top-two finish. But cracks in their batting lineup against spin are glaring—Sunday’s game saw four top-order players falter against Sri Lanka’s tweakers. Pakistan’s spin battery is loaded: Tariq’s pausing off-spinners, Shadab’s all-round guile, Abrar’s mystery, plus Ayub, Agha, and Nawaz.
Tariq’s pre-delivery halt has captivated fans and even prompted England skipper Harry Brook to imitate it during practice. Dawson, a limited-overs veteran, urges a broader focus.
‘Pakistan fields a strong side full of threats,’ Dawson told the media Monday. ‘Tariq’s quality is undeniable, but we won’t zero in on him alone. Our plan targets the entire opposition to find ways to outsmart them.’
His 7-wicket haul with Jacks and Rashid was pivotal in Sri Lanka’s collapse. Dawson highlighted their diverse skills: Jacks’ bounce, Rashid’s tricks, his own control. ‘I’m the defensive option, always reliable for the skipper. With our collective experience—mine and Adil’s T20 hauls, Jacks’ growing prowess—we back everyone on the park.’
As pitches potentially improve, England eyes exploiting this variety to counter Pakistan’s spin dominance. A smart, team-oriented strategy could seal their semi-final berth in this pivotal encounter.