Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain has achieved a significant milestone in his professional career by becoming the first cricketer from his country to be signed by a franchise in South Africa’s premier T20 league, the SA20. The 24-year-old bowler has been officially recruited by the reigning tournament champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
The franchise, which has secured the championship title three times, confirmed the signing through an official announcement. Alongside Rishad, the team has also brought in Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh to fill their quota for new international players. Rishad joins the squad as a replacement for Afghan spinner AM Ghazanfar, joining a roster that features international stars such as captain Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock, and New Zealand’s Adam Milne.
Rishad has established himself as a vital component of Bangladesh’s white-ball cricket setup over the past two years. His performance during the 2024 T20 World Cup drew significant global attention, where he claimed 14 wickets. This tally tied him with Afghanistan’s star spinner Rashid Khan for the second-highest number of wickets in the tournament. His standout display in the World Cup significantly boosted his profile, leading to increased demand for his services in various international franchise leagues.
The fifth edition of the SA20 is scheduled to commence on January 17 next year. Ahead of the tournament, a mini-auction for the six participating franchises is set to take place on October 7 to finalize their respective squads. Following these recent signings, the defending champions have only two spots remaining on their roster. Rishad’s inclusion in the league serves as a testament to the growing recognition of Bangladeshi players in the competitive landscape of global franchise cricket.
