Mushtaq Ahmed wants Rishad Hossain to perfect more variations to disguise his leg-spin

Bangladesh spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed feels Rishad Hossain must increase his arsenal of variations to be even more potent as a spinner at the international level. Rishad has been in fine wicket-taking form in the several white-ball matches he has played of late, making him a dependable option alongside Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Mushtaq, who recently headed the proceedings of a two-day bowling camp at the indoor facilities of Dhaka's Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, felt the next step in the leg-spinning all-rounder's journey will be to hone other variations. 

"Rishad is doing really well and taking plenty of wickets for Bangladesh. Now everyone wants to be like him - in batting, bowling, and fielding. He (Rishad) has already mastered the leg break and googly, and the next step in his development is to perfect the flipper, top spinner, and slider," stated Mushtaq, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Mushtaq emphasized the need for Rishad and other Bangladeshi spinners in general to have their basics intact for times when they actually have to depend on their fundamentals to extract spin from the surface.

"If the spinners get lots of spin from the pitches, they don't remember the process and the basics. We as coaches are working really hard. Why we have to remember the process on good pitches? If you play on good pitches internationally, you don't get spin pitches there. So, you have to spin the ball," he added.

Meanwhile, Mushtaq and the rest of the coaching staff had had a similar spin-bowling session with young talents and the national team in 2024. The ex-Pakistani leg-spinner praised the spin-bowling reserves of Bangladesh but also noted how building a strong foundation was essential in nurturing them to top-notch spinners in the international circuit.

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Bangladesh have been on a rich diet of limited-overs cricket. Rishad has been at the forefront of their performances. He has gone wicketless in only one of their past 10 matches, demonstrating that he has grown from strength-to-strength and is now the Tigers' premium spin bowler. Bangladesh will next host Ireland for two Tests and three T20Is.