The management of the Bangladeshi side, who has been waiting decades for a consistent leg-spinner, may be relieved that Rishad Hossain has arrived. The 21-year-old showed promise in the just finished white ball series against New Zealand. Only his ability to restrict runs could match Rishad’s aptitude for contributing important wickets, as he shown against the Kiwis. In an open discussion with Mazhar Uddin of The Daily Star, the reserved leggie covered a variety of subjects, including his bowling and future goals. Below are some quotes from the interview:
The Star Daily (DS): What was your experience of the New Zealand series like?
Rishad Hossain (RH): Thank God, everything went smoothly for me. I was able to play freely, which was crucial. I will be much more confident after this trip since I now know how to handle stressful circumstances. I won’t claim to have performed particularly well, but this trip will undoubtedly improve my cricketing.
DS: Do the coach and team management give you any freedom?
RH: Without a doubt, the coach and the team management provided me with a great deal of support. I was really driven by my coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, who also gave me confidence and advised me to express myself in the middle. I should not worry about anything else, he said. I had the support of our captain and teammates as well, and I always felt like an important part of the squad, which gave me the freedom to play.
DS: How good of a bowler are you?
RH: I believe that my primary skill is my ability to consistently bowl at the proper line and length, which can sometimes be challenging for a legspinner. I constantly attempt to bowl in accordance with the team’s strategy and play the role that the team assigns me because I don’t want the reputation of a bowler who can just control runs or select wickets. Because of my height, I believe I have an edge because I can get that additional purchase from the surface. I’m also honing my flipper and googly at the same time, as well as learning how to take turns when the surface offers them.
DS: Leg-spinners in Bangladesh often do not have adequate possibilities to participate in local circuits. After this trip, do you believe anything will change for you?
RH: Definitely, but as I’ve previously said, no one will spoon-feed a player—whether they are a leg spinner, hitter, or pacer—and they must generate chances for themselves. Thus, it’s critical to make the most of any chance that presents itself, and I’m willing to accept the task. Yes, playing more domestic cricket matches would help me improve my match sense and experience.
DS: Can you tell us about your journey to become a leg-spinner? Leg-spin is a difficult technique.
RH: I’ve enjoyed spinning balls since I was a little kid, and I’ve always aspired to be a leg-spinner. Leg-spin, as you said, is a difficult skill, therefore I’ve always had to study it. Every time I saw leg-spinners in an international cricket match, I was captivated. I first took bowling lessons from my childhood coach, [Arman Ali] Monu bhai. Currently, I work with [Abu Sayem] Mehedi sir, a BKSP coach. They are the people I can confide in if I’m feeling down or having issues.
Do you intend to pursue an all-format bowling career?
RH: Playing cricket for your nation in T20, ODI, or Test formats is a dream come true for every player. However, because the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is soon, I would want to concentrate on it and play.
DS: What was your experience like after the age-level days?
RH: I believed that if I was upset over my exclusion from the Bangladesh Under-19 World Cup team (2020), it would just cause me to fall farther. Yes, it was difficult, but I maintained my cool and patiently awaited my opportunity.
DS: Which bowler is your favorite?
RH: Ish Sodhi is nice. However, I don’t emulate or follow him. Simply said, I like the way he bowls.
DS: How was life in your hometown of Nilphamari following this trip, and how did it differ from before?
RH: Certainly, particularly after this tour, I am unable to go about as freely as I used to because people are gathered around me. Upon my return home, I received congratulations from Nazrul Sriti Cricket Academy, Niphamari at the airport, and it feels nice.