The Hobart Hurricanes have added another major weapon to their BBL|16 bowling attack, with Bangladeshi leg-spinner Rishad Hossain returning for a second season.
After leading the Hurricanes’ wicket-taking in his debut Big Bash campaign, Hossain will again wear purple this summer, giving Hobart a formidable leg-spin combination alongside Australian white-ball star Adam Zampa.
Hossain enjoyed an outstanding first season in the competition, taking 15 wickets from 12 matches at an average of 20.86 and economy rate of 7.82, with best figures of 3-26.
His impact was recognised at the end of the season when he was crowned the Hurricanes’ BBL Player of the Year.
Hurricanes General Manager – High Performance Salliann Beams said Hossain’s determination to return to Hobart played a significant role in getting a deal done.
“Rishad made it really clear to us that he loved his time in Hobart last season and wanted to come back, and that certainly meant a lot to us,” Beams said.
“Our list had taken a slightly different shape with the addition of Adam Zampa, but when a player of Rishad’s quality is so determined to return to the Hurricanes, we wanted to explore every opportunity to make that happen.
“He was outstanding for us last season. To come into the Big Bash for the first time, play every game and finish as our leading wicket-taker showed the quality he has and how quickly he adapted to Australian conditions.
“We now have two high-quality leg-spinners who bring different strengths and give us some really exciting options depending on conditions and match-ups.
“Adam has been one of the outstanding white-ball bowlers in world cricket for a long period of time, while we saw last summer just how dangerous Rishad can be through the middle overs.
“To have both of them as part of our squad gives us enormous flexibility and adds another dimension to our bowling attack.”
Hossain’s return continues his association with the Hurricanes after the club initially selected him in the BBL|14 draft, only for Bangladesh Premier League commitments to prevent him from joining the squad that season.
He finally made his Big Bash debut last summer and quickly established himself as one of Hobart’s most dangerous wicket-taking options.
The Bangladeshi international has since continued to build his experience at the highest level, with his ability to attack with flight and turn making him a point of difference among modern T20 leg-spinners.
HOBART HURRICANES BBL|16 SQUAD
Marcus Bean, Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Rishad Hossain, Nick Hobson, Shai Hope, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Will Prestwidge, Billy Stanlake, Tim Ward, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Adam Zampa