Rishad joins defending champions Hobart for Big Bash return

Bangladesh leg spinner Rishad Hossain has left for Australia to take part in the upcoming Big Bash League, where he will play for defending champions Hobart Hurricanes.

With this, his dream is coming into true, as he was unable to play last season as the BCB did not grant him the No-Objection Certificate. 

Rishad is the only Bangladeshi cricketer after Shakib Al Hasan to play this Australian league. 

This time, the clearance came early, which also kept Rishad out of the Bangladesh Premier League auction.

Hobart retained their faith in him during the draft, calling him in the second round. Before that, they secured England fast bowler Chris Jordan as their first overseas pick, and later added another English leg spinner, Rehan Ahmed, in the fourth round.

Jordan has been a key figure for Hobart over the last two seasons, taking seven wickets during their title-winning campaign last year and nine wickets the previous season.

He remains the Hurricanes' preferred option in the death overs and was their top overseas priority once again. With Rishad and Rehan both in the squad, two of Hobart's three overseas slots are now occupied by leg spinners who can also contribute with the bat.

Rehan brings stronger red-ball batting credentials, with six first-class centuries, while Rishad has featured in ninety-six recognized T20 matches, scoring one fifty at a strike rate of 134.39.

Rehan last played competitive cricket in mid-November and recently recovered from injury, which British media say will not affect his Big Bash availability.

Only three overseas players can feature in a match-day eleven, making competition for places intense. Fast bowler Nathan Ellis led the team last season.

The new Big Bash season begins on 14 December, with Hobart Hurricanes setting to play their opening match on 16 December.