Debut in first class cricket in 2018. But in the last four years, Rishad Hossain has only played 11 first-class matches. This leg spinner has taken 18 wickets including 5 wickets twice. But still he could not be regular in first class cricket.

Rishad does not get a place in the XI in List ‘A’ and domestic T20. Only 1 List ‘A’ and 14 T20s are proof of that. Sadly, Rishad does not get a chance in the XI even in the warm-up matches of BCB’s High Performance (HP) team. Such is the cricket culture of the country. Making it to the XI as a leg-spinner is a huge challenge.

That Rishad has a different need. That’s why after a few days Rishad’s call came to the net of the national team. For example, when Afghanistan visited Bangladesh in March last year, Rishad was blown away as a net bowler in Chittagong. The batsmen of the Bangladesh team prepared to play against the bowling of Rishad against the Afghan leg spinners.
Before this year’s Asia Cup, the cricketers of the national team played two preparatory matches at Mirpur Sherebangla Stadium. Rishad got a call there too. This leg spinner is being flown to United Arab Emirates as part of Bangladesh team’s preparation. Taskin Ahmed, Enamul Haque along with Rishad also left for Emirates this evening.

Before leaving, he said, ‘Actually, I don’t take anything negatively. Everything that happens is for the best. I will try to use this opportunity. It’s a big opportunity for me, I want to help the team with my best. It’s normal, everyone likes it, I feel it too.’ He was also talking about the effort to make the national team’s cricketers prepare well, ‘because they will be playing against big leg spinners. I will try to give the best possible (challenge) to the batsmen.

Rishad also sees global tournaments like the Asia Cup as a platform for learning, ‘going to such a big stage. Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka — there will be a lot of big players, we will try to take something from them. Bangladesh team coach Herath is there, Indian coach (Sreeram) is there. I will try to learn from both of them.’