In Hobart on Saturday night, Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain underlined his growing influence in the Big Bash League by taking two more wickets for Hobart Hurricanes against Melbourne Renegades, a return that has lifted him to fifth on the tournament’s wicket-takers list.
Rishad followed up his three-wicket haul against Perth Scorchers with another decisive spell, finishing with figures of 2 for 34 as the Renegades were restricted to 162 for 9 after being sent in to bat. His control through the middle overs again proved crucial in preventing Melbourne from accelerating.
The 22-year-old struck early impact by dismissing Mohammad Rizwan for 14, breaking the rhythm of the Renegades’ top order, before removing Jake Fraser-McGurk, one of the most dangerous hitters in the competition. Both wickets came at moments when Melbourne were looking to build momentum.
The Renegades had made a cautious start after losing the toss, with their opening partnership putting on 38. Josh Brown and Tim Seifert both scored 26 but failed to push on, as Hobart’s bowlers tightened their grip.
Late resistance came from Oliver Peake, who scored 29 from 22 balls, and captain Will Sutherland with 17, while Gurinder Sandhu added an unbeaten 16 from 13 deliveries to carry the total past 150.
Nathan Ellis was the standout among the Hurricanes’ seamers with three wickets, while Chris Jordan, Riley Meredith and Mitchell Owen claimed one each. Still, it was Rishad who again stood out for his composure and consistency.
With five wickets across his last two matches, Rishad has quickly emerged as one of the Hurricanes’ most reliable bowlers and now sits fifth among the leading wicket-takers in the competition, a remarkable return so early in his BBL career.
