Tigers put faith in 'game changer' Rishad ahead of champions trophy
The 21-year-old remains the squad’s only specialist wrist-spinner and is being backed by his teammates to make an impact.
Bangladesh are banking on leg-spinner Rishad Hossain to make an impact in the Champions Trophy, with his teammates backing him to be a key player.
Pakistan's pitches are often described as highways for batters, with Rawalpindi and Karachi known for their lifeless tracks that offer little to bowlers.
However, if there is one type of bowler who has found success on these surfaces, it is leg-spinners.
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Bangladesh have historically been reluctant to trust leg-spinners, fearing their inconsistency. But with the Champions Trophy approaching, team management appears to have broken with tradition by placing their faith in Rishad Hossain. The 21-year-old remains the squad's only specialist wrist-spinner and is being backed by his teammates to make an impact.
The tournament, however, will begin for Bangladesh not in Pakistan, but in the UAE, where spinners are expected to play a crucial role. While runs are expected to flow heavily on Pakistani wickets, spinners are likely to find more assistance in Dubai. Either way, the Tigers will need their bowlers to step up if they are to challenge the stronger teams, and Rishad could prove to be their trump card.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Soumya Sarkar, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib all expressed confidence in Rishad's ability in an ICC-published video. Shanto emphasised the importance of wrist-spinners in this tournament, saying, "If Rishad bowls well, we will be in a good position. We know how good the batting tracks are in Pakistan, and in this tournament, wrist-spinners will be vital. I am excited to see how he performs."
Soumya echoed that sentiment, labelling Rishad a game-changer. "Wrist-spinners are game-changers, and we are looking at Rishad to make an impact," he said.
Tanzim, meanwhile, pointed out that Rishad's contributions are not limited to bowling. "He always provides breakthroughs with the ball, but he can also make runs when needed, as he showed in the BPL final," he noted.
Rishad was one of Bangladesh's standout performers in the 2024 T20 World Cup, taking 14 wickets in the tournament. While those wickets largely came on spin-friendly tracks, the Champions Trophy will present a different challenge, especially in Pakistan's batting-friendly conditions.
The Tigers, however, are hoping that their faith in their young leg-spinner will pay off.
