Rishad joins Zim Afro T10 league after Big Bash

Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain has secured a spot in the second edition of the Zim Afro T10 League.

Earlier this month, Rishad received a call-up to Australia's Big Bash League, where he was invited to join the Hobart Hurricanes. The team's head of strategy, cricket legend Ricky Ponting, acknowledged the young spinner's potential. Rishad's rise can be attributed to his remarkable performance in the T20 World Cup, where he led Bangladesh's bowling attack by taking 14 wickets, the highest for his team.

Franchises in the Zim Afro T10 League have the opportunity to sign players in the Icon and Global Superstar categories before the draft. Harare Bolts have already signed New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham as their Icon player, while Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka was recruited under the Global Superstar category.

The tournament will feature several prominent cricketers this year, including David Warner, Carlos Brathwaite, and Chris Lynn. Warner has joined Bulawayo Braves Jaguars as their Icon cricketer, alongside Brathwaite. Each team in the league must have at least 16 players, with a minimum of six from Zimbabwe. Even the Icon and Global Superstar categories allow for the inclusion of Zimbabwean players.

Last year's Zim Afro T10 League saw Bangladeshi players Mushfiqur Rahim and Taskin Ahmed take part in the inaugural edition. Mushfiqur made 126 runs in eight matches for Joburg Buffaloes, while Taskin, playing for Bulawayo Braves, took 11 wickets in seven matches, finishing as the tournament's fourth-highest wicket-taker.

The second edition of the tournament will run from 21/09/2024 to 29/09/2024, with all matches scheduled to be played in Harare