Death, taxes, and Rashid Khan’s googlies are inevitable. Since the T20I series, Rashid has consistently troubled Bangladeshi batters, and the ODI series was no different, with Bangladesh losing 2-0.
In Abu Dhabi, Rashid took three wickets for 38 runs in the first ODI, all LBW, and followed up with a five-wicket haul for just 17 runs in the next match, including two maidens in 8.3 overs. Bangladesh, chasing 191, were bowled out for 109. Most dismissals came from Rashid’s deceptive googlies, showing that Bangladeshi batters still struggle against leg-spin despite knowing its patterns.
Rashid is not alone. Over the last three years, Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka has been another persistent threat, taking nine wickets against Bangladesh in last July’s ODI series. Among right-arm spinners, England’s Adil Rashid and New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi also pose challenges, with Sodhi boasting a strike rate of 16.5.
Modern white-ball cricket makes leg-spin predictable in principle, but execution remains difficult. Rashid and Hasaranga rely heavily on the googly, which can cramp batters for room and create uncertainty. While traditional leg-spin sees the wrist turning toward the bowler, the googly has the back of the hand facing the batter. Rashid has innovated further, spinning the ball from his fingers rather than the wrist, making it almost impossible for batters to read the delivery before it pitches.
The science behind their effectiveness involves the Magnus Effect. Overspin typically increases bounce, but bowlers like Rashid and Hasaranga counter this by bending their knees at release, creating late dip and lower bounce. On skiddy surfaces, this reduces reaction time, making aerial shots risky. Batters attempt paddle sweeps or slog sweeps, often unsuccessfully.
Bangladeshi batters have frequently looked clueless against such deliveries. Towhid Hridoy, well set in the middle, was dismissed trying a slog sweep off Rashid in the 17th over. In the 23rd over, Nurul Hasan Sohan went down on one knee for a similar shot, only to be bowled as the ball stayed low.
Ex-Bangladesh captain and current High Performance Unit coach Rajin Saleh attributes the problem to both skill and mindset. “Since Rashid bowls at pace, batters can somewhat predict where the googly will go,” he said. “But knowing he’s not a big turner like Shane Warne, they still need to be prepared for the straight googly. Reading leg-spin requires practice and mental resilience.”
Spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed echoed this, noting that Bangladeshi batters were playing Rashid rather than the ball. “He may not turn the ball much, but his line, length, and consistency make him a world-class threat,” Mushtaq said.
Bangladesh’s struggle against leg-spin is a recurring theme. From Rashid Khan to Hasaranga, top-class googly bowlers have exploited their weakness, leaving Bangladeshi batters searching for solutions. Until technique and mental approach improve, the leg-spin curse will continue to haunt them.
Leg spinners vs Bangladesh in ODIs (Last 3 years)
| Bowler | Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan (AFG) | 9 | 17 | 18.70 | 29.4 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) | 6 | 15 | 17.86 | 21.3 |
| Adil Rashid (ENG) | 5 | 10 | 18.60 | 22.6 |
| Ish Sodhi (NZ) | 4 | 8 | 14.25 | 16.5 |
