High praise from Ricky Ponting & Aaron Finch for Rishad Hossain

For a long time, Bangladesh's cricket landscape had been devoid of a leg-spinner capable of making a mark on the international stage. But now, Rishad Hossain is changing that narrative. Despite his youth and limited international experience, Rishad’s rapid rise has caught the eyes of some of the biggest names in world cricket.

After already being picked once, Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Hobart Hurricanes have drafted him again — a move originally endorsed by legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Now, another former Aussie skipper has added his voice to the chorus of praise: Aaron Finch.

Speaking on a recent post-draft podcast, Finch expressed his admiration for Rishad, saying,

“Rishad Hossain is a very talented leg-spinner who can turn the ball sharply.”

What makes Rishad stand out in Finch’s view is his unique approach to the art of leg-spin in T20 cricket.

“Unlike most contemporary leg-spinners, he gives the ball air. And what I love is — when under pressure, he bowls even slower.”

This is not just armchair analysis. Finch saw Rishad up close during the 2024 T20 World Cup, particularly in the match against Australia, where the young spinner dismissed Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in a tidy three-over spell, conceding just 23 runs.

Recalling that performance, Finch added,

“He gets serious turn... and Ricky Ponting has a very high opinion of him.”

That same match sparked interest from Hobart Hurricanes' High-Performance GM Sally-Ann Briggs, who confirmed that it was Ponting’s recommendation — based on that World Cup performance — that led to Rishad being pursued again this season.

Last year, Rishad couldn't play in the BBL due to complications surrounding his No Objection Certificate (NOC). This year, similar concerns linger, but belief in his potential has only grown. Regardless of the off-field challenges, the cricketing world — and some of its sharpest minds — are beginning to see Rishad Hossain as the next big chapter in Bangladesh's spin bowling story.