Iftikhar, who has faced Rishad during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), acknowledged the young spinner's abilities and growth. Their previous encounters have given Iftikhar firsthand experience of Rishad's bowling prowess.
"Rishad is bowling very well; I played him in the BPL. The way he's performing for Bangladesh, in my eyes, he's an exceptional leg-spinner," Iftikhar, who currently represents Multan Sultans, said during the pre-match press conference today.
Rishad Hossain, who made his PSL debut earlier this season for Lahore Qalandars, has quickly made his presence felt.
In his debut outing against Quetta Gladiators, he delivered a standout performance with figures of 3 for 31 and has already picked up six wickets in the tournament, showcasing his growing influence with the ball.
The 22-year-old leg-spinner had previously showcased his talent in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he emerged as one of Bangladesh's top performers, finishing with 14 wickets in seven matches.
