Nahid Rana went unsold at the SA20 auction on Wednesday, but Bangladesh will still have representation in South Africa’s franchise T20 competition through Rishad Hossain.
Nahid, Bangladesh’s only representative in the auction, had attracted attention after establishing himself as one of the country’s fastest bowlers. However, none of the six SA20 franchises selected the pacer.
That leaves Rishad as Bangladesh’s only confirmed player for the fifth edition of the tournament.
The leg-spinner joined defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape through a direct deal in August, before the auction. The franchise also signed Australia’s T20 captain Mitchell Marsh directly.
Rishad could become the first Bangladeshi cricketer to play in the SA20. Taijul Islam came close last season when Durban’s Super Giants selected him at the auction, but the left-arm spinner later withdrew.
Rishad has already played in overseas franchise competitions, featuring in the Pakistan Super League and Australia’s Big Bash League. He now needs a no-objection certificate from the Bangladesh Cricket Board to take part in the SA20.
The tournament starts on January 17, with the final scheduled for February 21.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape have won three of the competition’s first four titles and have assembled another strong squad. Rishad’s teammates include Matthew Breetzke, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs and Adam Milne.
The franchise strengthened its squad further at Wednesday’s auction by signing Nandre Burger and Craig Overton.
The auction’s most expensive player was 18-year-old all-rounder Jason Rooles, who joined Joburg Super Kings for 2.9 million rand.
Rooles bats left-handed and also bowls left-arm spin. He emerged as one of South Africa’s promising young players after finishing as the country’s leading run-scorer at this year’s Under-19 World Cup.
Joburg Super Kings also added West Indies stars Kieron Pollard and Faf du Plessis at the auction.
