Rishad Hossain likely to be excluded from Test series against Pakistan

Rishad, who emerged as the third-highest wicket-taker in the recent T20 World Cup with an impressive tally of 14 scalps, finds himself in the spotlight regarding his readiness for red-ball cricket

PHOTO: AFP

As Bangladesh prepares for their upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan, team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has addressed speculation surrounding the potential Test debut of Rishad Hossain.

Rishad, who emerged as the third-highest wicket-taker in the recent T20 World Cup with an impressive tally of 14 scalps, finds himself in the spotlight regarding his readiness for red-ball cricket.

Captain Shanto, speaking to media representatives at an event, expressed cautious optimism tempered by practical concerns.

"I think it would be better to ask this to the selectors, but from my experience, I don't think he [Rishad] is fully ready for red-ball cricket at the moment," Shanto said.

Reflecting on the coaching efforts behind Rishad's development, Shanto highlighted the pivotal role played by Mushtaq Ahmed, the team's bowling coach, alongside local mentors who have nurtured Rishad's skills over time.

"Definitely, he [Mushtaq] did a fine job with us… But I don't want to give credit only to Mushtaq Ahmed. The local coaches had been looking after Rishad prior to that. Mushtaq Ahmed had played for many years, had won the World Cup and was a coach of a World Cup winning team. He shared his experiences and some tactical aspects with Rishad, which really helped him," he said.

"Local coaches played a big part in helping him with the technical aspects. They motivated him and pointed out his lackings. Local coaches like Sohail Islam and a few others had worked with Rishad," he maintained.

So, I believe the both the local coaches and Mushtaq deserve credit. Going forward, the BCB will decide which coaching group would be better for us and I believe they always have our best interests in their hearts." he concluded.

Bangladesh will face Pakistan in two Tests, with matches scheduled in Rawalpindi from 21st to 25th August and in Karachi from 30th August to 3rd September.

Bangladesh in Pakistan (Two Tests)