Rishad Hossain has joined defending champions Hobart Hurricanes for his Big Bash League return. This makes him the only Bangladeshi cricketer after Shakib Al Hasan to play in Australia’s biggest T20 league.
Rishad reached Australia earlier on Monday. He could not play last season because the BCB did not give him a No-Objection Certificate (NOC). This time, the clearance came early. It also kept him out of the Bangladesh Premier League auction. His long wait is finally over.
Hobart showed their trust in him during the draft. They picked him in the second round. Before that, they signed England fast bowler Chris Jordan as their first overseas player. Later, they added English leg spinner Rehan Ahmed in the fourth round.
Jordan has played an important role for Hobart. He took seven wickets in their title-winning run last season and nine wickets the year before. He remains their main option in the death overs. With Rishad and Rehan in the squad, two of Hobart’s three overseas spots now belong to leg spinners who can also bat.
Rehan brings strong red-ball batting numbers, including six first-class centuries. Rishad has played ninety-six T20 matches so far. He has scored one fifty at a strike rate of 134.39. Rehan last played competitive cricket in mid-November. British media report that his recent injury will not affect his Big Bash availability.
Competition for places will be tight. Only three overseas players can appear in the match-day eleven. Nathan Ellis led the team last season and will guide the attack again.
The new Big Bash season starts on 14 December. Hobart Hurricanes will play their first match on 16 December.
There will be extra attention from Bangladesh this year. The whole country will follow the Big Bash League closely because Rishad will be taking part. He will also wear a new jersey number. For Hobart, he will wear number 2 instead of his usual 22. A similar change happened to Pakistan star Babar Azam, who will wear 056 at Sydney Sixers because Mitchell Starc already uses 56.
For Rishad, this is a fresh start and a chance to show his talent on a big stage.
