WEST INDIES TOUR OF BANGLADESH, 2025
Rishad picked up six wickets. © BCB
Bangladesh leg spinner Rishad Hossain admitted on Saturday that he needed an over to adjust as he was facing trouble initially against Afghanistan in the three-match series opener at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Rishad became the first Bangladeshi wrist spinner to take a five-wicket haul as the hosts defeated West Indies by 74 runs in a low-scoring first ODI at SBNS by bundling out the opposition for 133 runs after posting 207 in 49.4 overs.
“I needed one over to adjust to the conditions. Initially, I had a little trouble, but later I adapted and covered everything well,” Rishad told reporters following the game.
“I understand what the team needs from me. I try to ensure that even small contributions can help the team,” he said adding that he enjoyed every wicket he picked.
Rishad said that they were confident of earning a win despite posting a below par score on the board. “All 11 of us believed we would fight until the last ball. We weren’t worried about the result at all. We focused on how we would fight and stay in our process,” he said.
Bangladesh managed to post over 200 runs on the board with Rishad contributing a quick cameo of 26 off 13 balls and the 23-year old insisted that he is happy to contribute with the willow. “My role in the position I bat at is to score a few extra runs that benefit the team. If we can get 210-215 instead of 180, that’s good for the team. I tried for that, and it happened,” said Rishad.
“As a player, trying to contribute in all three aspects is better. I try to, and Inshallah, God will reward something from at least one side. So, I try to give not my 100%, but my 110%,” he said.
However, Rishad was not ready to disclose much regarding his recent conversation with spin great Rashid Khan during their UAE tour. “As leg spinners, we were just talking about technical matters and the process. Normally, that’s the kind of discussion you have with another leg spinner,” Rishad concluded.
Ahead of the series, Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons shed some light on that conversation between Rishad and Rashid. “Well, it’s always good. Rashid Khan is the number one spinner in the world, and you always learn something. That’s one good thing I can say about him-he shares his knowledge,” he said.
Simmons explained that it was Bangladesh spin bowling consultant Mushtaq Ahmed’s idea to take Rishad to Rashid for a chat after the conclusion of the series.
“And Mushtaq went and asked him to have a chat with Rishad. And he did. I’m sure you only saw a snippet of it because he was there for nearly an hour. Working with him, showing him different things, and talking to him-it was great of Rashid to do that. That’s the type of person he is. But I’m sure Rishad got a lot out of it,” he added.
© Cricbuzz
