Bangladeshi leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who made headlines after his debut season in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), has recently found himself at the center of a controversy—not for his on-field performance, but for comments made about the off-field atmosphere amid India-Pakistan tensions. Clarifying the issue, Rishad has publicly apologized and sought to remove any confusion.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page last night, Rishad explained that some media outlets misrepresented his comments, leading to misunderstandings about his foreign teammates. His remarks during an interview—originally given at Dubai Airport to Bangladeshi journalists—were particularly highlighted in a Cricbuzz article, where he mentioned how players like Sam Billings, Daryl Mitchell, and Tom Curran felt anxious during a period of tension.
However, Rishad clarified that his comments were taken out of context. He wrote, “I’ve realized that some of my recent comments have been misinterpreted by the media, causing confusion. The interview I gave to Bangladeshi journalists at Dubai Airport did not reflect the full context. Some of my emotional reactions were unintentionally exaggerated.”
He added that he has already personally apologized to the teammates involved and is looking forward to playing for Lahore Qalandars again. “I have unconditionally apologized to both Curran and Mitchell. I hold great respect for my teammates. At Qalandars, we stand together like brothers.”
The controversy stems from last week’s drone explosion near a PSL venue in Rawalpindi, during heightened military tension between India and Pakistan. The incident led to the suspension of a match and the temporary postponement of the tournament, with foreign players evacuated via Dubai. Rishad noted that it was only natural for overseas players to be alarmed during such an incident—but emphasized that some of his remarks were exaggerated in media coverage.
Indian media, in particular, seized on the issue, especially reports of Tom Curran reportedly in tears and Daryl Mitchell allegedly refusing to return to Pakistan. Rishad believes that the emotional nature of the situation led to his words being portrayed in a more dramatic light than intended.
UA / TDS
