Bangladesh national cricket team captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, has expressed his desire for leg spinner Rishad Hossain to smoothly transition into all formats of cricket after adequate preparation. While Rishad has been excelling in T20 cricket, Shanto is cautious about putting excessive pressure on him to play all formats at this stage. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that Rishad is mentally and physically prepared for the demands of international cricket, citing instances where talented players suffered due to premature exposure to all formats.
Rishad's exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup, where he took 14 wickets at an impressive economy rate, has garnered attention. However, Shanto believes that this does not necessarily indicate readiness for longer-format cricket. He expressed that the decision on Rishad's inclusion in the Test squad rests with the selectors, but based on his experience, he feels that Rishad is not yet prepared for red-ball cricket.
The upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan has prompted discussions about potential squad inclusions, with players preparing themselves through four-day matches in different areas. The coaching dynamics have also been highlighted, with the influence of renowned leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed and the contributions of local coaches in Rishad's development being acknowledged.
The discussions surrounding Rishad Hossain's progression into different formats of cricket reflect the careful consideration given to his development and the balancing of expectations with his readiness for the challenges of international cricket.
Comment: