Sports Desk:

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto feels that leg-spinner Rishad Hossain will play an important for the team in their forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy campaign, especially in the Pakistan leg.

“… Rishad, our wrist spinner, if he bowls well we can be in a good mood in the team. Because we all know in Pakistan how good the wicket is. So, a wrist spinner is more important in particular in this tournament. So, I’m really looking forward to Rishad’s performance, how he will bowl in this tournament,” Shanto said in a video released by the ICC on social media on Tuesday.

Rishad was one of the breakout stars in Bangladesh’s previous ICC event, the T20 World Cup last year, where he finished as the joint third highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps in seven games.

However, Rishad has at times been on the expensive side since then. Seven matches into his ODI career, Rishad’s economy rate is a tad over six and he has only five wickets to show for. Still, the Bangladesh team players have faith in the 22-year-old’s abilities.

“A wrist spinner is always a game changer, so we are looking forward for Rishad,” opener Soumya Sarkar said in the same clip.

Pacer Tanzim Sakib also spoke in that clip and he highlighted Rishad’s ability to clear the ropes late down the order alongside his wrist spin bowling.

“I think Rishad Hossain, our leg-spinner all-rounder, he is going to play a very important role for our team. He always gives us the breakthrough and with the bat he always gives us the runs when we need.”

Bangladesh will begin their campaign in the Champions Trophy with the Group A match against India in Dubai on February 20.