Agency :
Rishad Hossain has demonstrated the immense value a leg-spinner can bring to a team when backed by board management. Earlier, leg-spinners in Bangladesh have not been encouraged due to their tendency to concede runs. This led to their frequent omission from domestic clubs and the country’s first-class tournaments.
However, the current management, along with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and coach Chandika Hathurusingha, consistently supported Rishad despite his limited playing time in the domestic circuit.
Leg-spin is a challenging craft to master, yet many countries support their leg-spinners, understanding that they can provide crucial breakthroughs.
Rishad’s development was largely overseen by the national team management, and he quickly proved their faith was well-placed. In his debut match at the T20 World Cup, Rishad delivered a match-winning performance, validating the team’s investment in him.
Rishad is the first Bangladeshi leg-spinner to participate in a global event like the World Cup, and he made an immediate impact, earning the Man of the Match award with career-best figures of 3-22.
Only Alok Kapali had bowled some wrist spin for Bangladesh in the Cricket World Cup 2003, but his inclusion in the squad was as a batter.
Beyond the numbers, it was his influence on the game that garnered attention. On a slow-paced pitch, Sri Lanka started strongly and appeared set to surpass 150 runs, a target that would have made victory difficult for Bangladesh.
Rishad’s decisive double-strike in the 15th over changed the course of the match. At that point, Sri Lanka was 100-3 after 14 overs and poised to accelerate.
However, Rishad’s consecutive dismissals of Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga swung the momentum. Sri Lanka was ultimately restricted to a below-par 125-9, a far cry from the 150-plus total that seemed likely before Rishad’s intervention.
“I tried my best and stuck to my strengths. I was trying to keep it normal for the hat-trick delivery and was keen on executing a good ball.” Rishad said after the game.
Despite the risk of conceding runs to well-set Lankan batsmen, captain Shanto entrusted Rishad to break the partnership, recognizing the leg-spinner’s potential to take wickets.
This strategic backing paid off, highlighting the importance of management’s faith in nurturing talent like Rishad.