Rishad using turn to turn the tide
Rishad using turn to turn the tide
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| Photo: AFP |
Bangladesh isn't used to witnessing the kind of leg-spinnering that is going on in the T20 World Cup.
In addition to being enthralled with the 21-year-old's game-changing brilliance, one cannot help but be enchanted by his alignment with conventional wisdom in his craft—particularly during a period when conventional wisdom is often seen as the downfall of most spinners, especially in the 20-over format.
In his attempt to enhance his restricted skill set and establish his reputation as a leg-break bowler, Rishad appeared to have discovered the one weakness in his arsenal: the capacity to make his leg-breaks turn.
With this addition, the Tigers have seen a true boost in performance, at least in the first three T20 World Cup matches, and passionate cricket fans in the nation have had a proper taste of what a leg-spinner can offer.
With his most recent performances against the Netherlands, a pivotal match in Bangladesh's journey to the Super Eights, Rishad cemented his status as a difference-maker within the team.
With this addition, the Tigers have seen a true boost in performance, at least in the first three T20 World Cup matches, and passionate cricket fans in the nation have had a proper taste of what a leg-spinner can offer.
With three down for 104 in the game after the 14th over, the Netherlands' objective was to get 56 runs off 36 deliveries to chase Bangladesh's 159-run total.
After a 42-run partnership between captain Scott Edwards and captain Sybrand Engelbrecht, the Dutch were well-positioned in the middle. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto then brought on Rishad to embody the role of a leggie.
He threw a ball that abruptly turned away from Engelbrecht, and the batter was unable to stop himself, which resulted in his termination. After a ball, he looped one in that drifted in Bas de Leede's direction, but to his amazement, it spun sharply away. Liton Das blasted off the bails with such speed that the right-handed batter, having been drawn into the shot, lost sight of his rear leg.
Returning to deliver the eighteenth over, he picked up another wicket and finished with three for thirty-three, capping off an incredible day for Bangladesh that will go down in history due to Rishad's ability to change the course of games.
Earlier in the tournament, the 21-year-old demonstrated his potential when he completely changed the course of the contest against Sri Lanka by
The way he took the next wicket was nothing short of a dream sight for Bangladeshi cricket fans as he bowled a ripper that turned away from leg-stump, took the outside edge of Wanindu Hasaranga's bat and found its way into the hands of first slip. The first wicket was the typical leg-spinner's wicket, where Charith Asalanka fell by trying to take Rishad on.
The most notable aspect has been Rishad's ability to make his leg breaks turn. Both experts and fans had accepted this major shortcoming of his prior to the World Cup.
The qualities that make Rishad so strong are his accuracy, the height at which he throws the ball, his ability to extract bounce, and his natural drift. However,Rishad attracted the attention of all when he had the highest average turn in the competition against Sri Lanka—3.6 degrees—on that particular pitch.
The most notable aspect has been Rishad's ability to make his leg breaks turn. Both experts and fans had accepted this major shortcoming of his prior to the World Cup.
The qualities that make Rishad so strong are his accuracy, the height at which he throws the ball, his ability to extract bounce, and his natural drift. However,Rishad attracted the attention of all when he had the highest average turn in the competition against Sri Lanka—3.6 degrees—on that particular pitch.
Many have attributed the turn to the kind of wickets in the USA, including his mentor Sohel Islam.
"The turn is not problematic. I've observed that it's his accuracy. Turn is contingent upon the surface. The turn will be greater on a sticky surface and smaller on a flat one. "The crucial factor is if he can catch a bounce and release the ball," Sohel stated to The Daily Star.However, the surface alone cannot account for this level of turn. He may have made minor adjustments under Mushtaq Ahmed's guidance, who was a renowned leg-spinner himself.
Bangladesh is benefiting from Rishad's recent change in direction, whatever the cause may be. The supporters of the Bangladesh national team are seeing something that they have never seen before. They have always had to admire the leg-spin legends of other countries, but now they are starting to witness examples of leg-spin mastery from within their own.