Rishad Hossain returns to Hobart Hurricanes for BBL 16

Rishad enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in BBL|15, claiming 15 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 20.86 and an economy rate of 7.82.

His best bowling figures were 3-26, and his performances earned him the Hurricanes’ BBL Player of the Year award.

Hurricanes General Manager of High Performance Salliann Beams said Rishad’s desire to return to Hobart played an important role in securing his services for the upcoming season.

“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.

She added that although the squad’s composition had changed following Zampa’s arrival, the Hurricanes were keen to retain a bowler of Rishad’s calibre.

Beams praised the Bangladesh international for adapting quickly to Australian conditions and becoming the team’s leading wicket-taker in his first season.

She also highlighted the different strengths Rishad and Zampa bring to the side, saying their presence would give the Hurricanes greater flexibility in the middle overs and across different match-ups.

“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.”

Rishad’s return extends his association with the franchise, which selected him in the BBL14 draft.

However, Bangladesh Premier League commitments prevented him from joining the Hurricanes that season.

He eventually made his Big Bash debut last summer and quickly established himself as one of the team’s key wicket-taking options.

Known for his attacking leg-spin, flight and turn, Rishad has continued to gain experience at the highest level of T20 cricket.

Hobart Hurricanes squad for BBL16: 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 and Adam Zampa.