It was a bright and sunny Thursday morning, around 11 AM. But the cheerful mood of the day quickly changed as rain started pouring down. While the media personnel took shelter in the lounge of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium’s media plaza, Under-19 all-rounder Rizan Hossain didn’t seem to care. With his kitbag and luggage in hand, he stepped out in front of the academy building, eager to head home after two long overseas tours.
The 6-foot-1 all-rounder recently returned from Zimbabwe after winning a tri-nation series. It was a standout tournament for him with both bat and ball. The right-handed batter scored 182 runs in 7 matches and picked up 10 wickets with his pace bowling. He narrowly missed his maiden century in the final against South Africa, falling just 5 runs short. Before that, in the ODI series in South Africa, he had hit back-to-back fifties. Understandably, his face radiated satisfaction.
Despite being in a rush to get home and with his teammates already waiting in the car, the tall cricketer from Tangail still gave ten minutes of his time to Jubayer Tanin of The Daily Times of Bangladesh to share his cricket journey.
Times: Tell us about how your cricket journey began.
Rizan Hossain:I started playing cricket as a child in 2015 in Tangail. It all began with tape-tennis cricket with my elder brothers. From there, I transitioned to playing with a real cricket ball. I began formal training at Tangail Sports Academy. My father understands cricket really well, I actually see him as a coach. You could say he’s like my personal trainer.
Times: Many players have stories of starting as one type of player and switching, like turning from pacer to spinner. Do you have a similar story?
Rizan: Back in the day when we played in the neighbourhood, my elder brothers would say, “You should bowl pace.” Since I’m tall, I bowled fast with the tennis ball and did quite well. So, when I moved on to a cricket ball, I just continued with pace bowling.
Times: Do you remember your first match for the Under-19s?
Rizan:Yes, my first U-19 match was this year against the UAE, at home. I remember getting a good in-swing delivery that bowled a batsman that sticks with me. Also, I love playing cover drives. I hit a six over cover in that match, both of those memories are quite vivid for me.
Times: Your playing role is quite rare in modern cricket, a pace-bowling all-rounder. Apart from Hardik Pandya, Cameron Green, Ben Stokes, and Marco Jansen, there aren’t many. Even in Bangladesh, only Saifuddin fits that mould. How do you see this challenge?
Rizan:Yes, it’s definitely challenging. Being a pace-bowling all-rounder takes a lot of hard work. But if I can consistently follow the training plans laid out by our trainer Richard (Stonier), even though it’s tough, I believe I can do it.
Times: Ben Stokes is your favourite all-rounder, right? Even though Shakib is right in front of you, why Stokes?
Rizan:Ben Stokes is my favourite all-rounder, but I like Shakib bhai too, of course I do! Especially as a Bangladeshi, I really admire him. But since I’m a pace bowler and also a batter, a genuine batter who bowls, I relate more to Stokes, who is also a pace-bowling all-rounder. That’s why I look up to him more.
Times: You’ve started your career with success ,a series win in South Africa, and now in Zimbabwe. How does it feel?
Rizan:Alhamdulillah, it feels great. We beat South Africa on their home ground. I had two fifties, and those contributions helped the team win. In the tri-nation final, Alhamdulillah, I performed well, which helped us win the title. Winning a championship always feels special, so this one means a lot.
Times: The Under-19 World Cup next year will be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia. How will your recent experience help? Do the pitches match those in Bangladesh?
Rizan:Yes, Zimbabwe’s pitches are quite similar to ours, not much bounce, just like here. Having played there, we’ve gathered useful experience. Since the World Cup will be held there, this was good preparation. We’ve done well across venues, with no major setbacks. The coaches are helping us a lot. If we stay consistent, we’ll do well in the World Cup.
Times: You’re touring England next month. That’ll be a different challenge in terms of conditions, won’t it?
Rizan:Yes, we’re touring England next month. Their summer will be ending, so the conditions will be different. Our pre-tour camp will help us adapt to their weather and wickets. I’ve never played there, so this preparation will be important.
Times: You usually bat at number 4 or 5, very crucial positions. You have to deal with both pace and spin. Do you have separate preparation for different types of bowlers?
Rizan:Yes, absolutely. During practice, we use three nets, one with a new ball, one with a semi-new ball, and one with an old ball. After finishing in those nets, I move to the side net. After that, there’s a separate knocking session with different types of balls. So yes, we mix it all to simulate match conditions.
Times: You often bowl with the old ball and benefit from extra bounce due to your height. Are you working on anything specific with bowling coach Dolar Mahmud?
Rizan:Yes, I bowl mostly during the middle overs. Dolar sir has been really helpful. He’s been teaching me how to swing and reverse swing with the old ball. He shows me how to grip the ball, how to maintain it, everything. It’s been very helpful.
Times: You missed out on a century in Sri Lanka and now again in the final. Is it frustrating to get out just short of a hundred?
Rizan:Yes, it’s frustrating. If you get out for a duck, it happens. But when you’re set and miss a century, that hurts more.
Times: Your diet must’ve changed a lot. Now that you’re finally going home, what’s the first meal you’ll have?
Rizan:Yes, my food habits have definitely changed. But my favourite is beef and polao. I only eat it when I’m not training. But whenever I go home, my mother always cooks it for me, even if it’s just for one meal. It’s my absolute favourite.
Times: Are people in your area recognising you more now? Friends must be planning a special welcome, considering you’re a champion?
Rizan (laughing):I think they’ll treat me a bit differently now. But I’ll still be the same friend to them. Let’s see what happens when I get there.
Times: What do you do in your free time? Many players like to analyse stats, do you?
Rizan: I usually read books or watch films and dramas. I don’t really check stats. When I have time, I prefer watching movies or TV shows.