SAMSUL AREFIN KHAN

Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain garnered global spotlight with an impressive haul of 14 wickets in seven matches in last year’s ICC T20 World Cup, leading to the leg-spin all-rounder becoming one of the most sought-after names in franchise cricket.

Just after the end of the T20 World Cup, Rishad was picked for Global T20 Canada by Toronto Nationals, while he was also picked by Hobart Hurricanes for the Big Bash League 2024–25.

Coincidentally, both Toronto and Hobart became champions in their respective tournaments, but Rishad was unable to be part of any of these franchise meets due to separate reasons.

In a few days’ time, the 22-year-old is set to embark on another major challenge as he prepares to leave for Pakistan to take part in the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), beginning on April 11. This time, he will be representing two-time champions Lahore Qalandars, a team stacked with stars like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings, and Fakhar Zaman.

As Bangladesh have no white-ball fixtures during PSL time, Rishad has already obtained a full-season no-objection certificate (NOC) from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and now he is eyeing to showcase his mettle in the star-studded team.

“I will be going to PSL on April 6 or 7. The flight timing is yet to be confirmed,” Rishad told The Daily Star yesterday.

“Getting a chance on any side gives you great pleasure. I’m really feeling well to be part of the tournament… Actually, we are a very good side. Normally, it’s difficult to get into a side like this. I will try my best to adjust to the team as early as possible,” he said, adding that Lahore’s new head coach, Russell Domingo, who previously worked as Bangladesh head coach, had already communicated with him.

“Yes, we have talked. Before the start of any tournament, coaches usually talk to their players, and it was no different,” said Rishad, who also thinks that he will enjoy the battle against two of his national teammates, Liton Das and Nahid Rana, who were picked by different franchises -- Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi, respectively -- for the tournament.

Liton will leave for Pakistan on April 7 while Nahid will leave after the first Test against Zimbabwe (April 20-24).

“It’s really an exciting matter. They are my national teammates, and in PSL, we will be playing in separate teams. I hope to enjoy the battle against these two.”

Rishad, however, is not thinking too far ahead about the national team’s next white-ball assignment in Pakistan in May, where they are expected to play five T20Is, as he is keeping his focus only on PSL at the moment.

“Actually, I’m not thinking about this at this moment. The national team matches are still far ahead. Now I’m only focusing on the PSL. Hope to deliver a good performance there,” he added.

With his confidence high and ambitions set, Rishad is ready to embrace the PSL challenge, hoping that this time, luck will finally be on his side.