Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, according to Bangladesh national team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, can be a key player in the team’s victory during the ICC Champions Trophy, which begins on Wednesday in Karachi with the match between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand. At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, the Tigers will play their opening game against India on Thursday.
The Shanto-led team was given a harsh reality check, though, as they lost to Pakistan Shaheens by seven wickets in their lone warm-up match on Monday. Bangladesh only scored 202 runs in 38.2 overs, demonstrating the inability of the batters to stand up. In 34.5 overs, Shaheens chased that down. But when their main tournament starts, Shanto & Co. will rely on the young leg spinner Rishad.
In a video posted on social media by the ICC on Tuesday, Shanto stated, “If Rishad, our wrist spinner, bowls well, we can be in a good mood within the team.” Shanto claims that a wrist spinner like Rishad will be a useful choice in Bangladesh’s two group-stage matches against Pakistan, which has flat wickets. “Because the quality of the wicket is well known in Pakistan.” Accordingly, a wrist spinner is more crucial in this competition, Shanto stated.
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“So, I’m really excited to see how Rishad performs and bowls in this tournament.” Despite being a consistent member of the T20I team, Rishad has not yet established himself in the 50-over format. He has taken five wickets in his seven ODI appearances to date. As opener, Soumya Sarkar repeated captain Shanto’s statement that Rishad is a game-changing option; Rishad’s fellow teammates are equally enthusiastic about his chances of winning the tournament.
In the video, Soumya stated, “We are looking forward to Rishad because a wrist spinner is always a game changer.” In the same video, Pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib also spoke and praised Rishad. Additionally, he highlighted Rishad’s value as a useful batter lower in the order, stating that the 22-year-old has demonstrated flawless technique in clearing the ropes with remarkable ease.
‘I think Rishad Hossain, our leg-spinning all-rounder, is going to play a very important role for our team,’ Tanzim said. “When we need it, he always gives us the breakthrough and the runs with the bat.” In the just-finished BPL final, Rishad was instrumental at bat as his team, Fortune Barishal, won the championship. In the warm-up match against Shaheens, the leg-spinner bowled five overs but was unable to claim any wickets.
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