Usman Tariq in focus as Pakistan tune up for India under lights

Two hours into Pakistan's training session at the R. Premadasa Stadium, a bowler paused in his delivery stride, holding his landing foot in the air before releasing the ball with exaggerated delay. The antics were so familiar it could only have belonged to Usman Tariq.

It was Naseem Shah, smiling as he rolled his arm over. With one such delivery, he beat Abrar Ahmed so convincingly that even a net bowler allowed himself a smile.

For a side that has often carried visible tension into big India games, this felt different. Shaheen Shah Afridi, after steaming in for close to an hour, began floating left-arm orthodox. Babar Azam sweated through his stint and rolled his arm over. Then the mimicry began.

While Shaheen attempted his version, Naseem was the most convincing impersonator, twisting his body and dialling up the drama with each ball. It was playful, but it wasn't random. Usman Tariq looms large in Pakistan's plans come Sunday.

"We wanted to give Tariq a game," captain Salman Agha had said after Pakistan's last fixture. "I think he's a match-winner and a trump card for us, so we want to use him." Friday's session suggested that faith is not rhetorical.

The tall off-spinner, with his delayed action, round-arm delivery and subtle changes of pace and angle, is being positioned as Pakistan's disruptor-in-chief against India's left-hand-heavy batting order. He bowled an extended spell, operating largely against Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub.

By the time India arrived in Colombo, Pakistan were already done. This was their first proper training session under lights at Premadasa, and with Saturday evening allotted to India, it was their only chance to rehearse here in match conditions. All 15 squad members turned up.

The evening began with a huddle. Head coach Mike Hesson addressed the group before players dispersed into drills. Net bowlers were tasked with replicating Axar Patel's left-arm angle and Varun Chakaravarthy's leg-break and googly mix. Salman Mirza, who made way for Tariq, bowled a long stint under bowling coach Ashley Noffke.

Saim Ayub's session was technical. A blue patch on a good-length area was marked with cones. He was asked to land the ball on it. At times, the coach gestured with his bat, tracing the hitting arc of India's left-handers.

Under lights, drills grew specific. Babar Azam and Naseem practiced high catches in the deep with a tennis ball, tracking it against the glare. Abrar rehearsed run-outs, targeting a single stump. Abrar and Shaheen unfurled big hits. Faheem Ashraf received a pat on the back after nailing a yorker.

Hovering over preparations is the weather. Sri Lanka's Department of Meteorology has warned that a low-pressure area could form around February 15, the day of the India-Pakistan clash.

There may be uncertainty in the skies, but within the nets the signals felt clearer. Long after drills wound down, it was that exaggerated pause in the delivery stride that stayed with you. Not because Naseem mimicked it well, but because everyone knew whose action he was borrowing.

For all the theatre, the subtext was unmistakable. Pakistan can joke about Usman Tariq's delay, they can imitate the flourish, but come Sunday, they will be counting on the real thing. The pause will no longer be a punchline; it will be the plan.