Its Only a Matter of Time Before Rishad Makes His Test Debut: Mushtaq Ahmed

Bangladesh’s spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed believes it’s only a matter of time before young leg-spinner Rishad Hossain dons the white jersey in Test cricket. Rishad made headlines in the first ODI against West Indies, claiming 6 wickets for 35 runs — a record for any Bangladeshi spinner in ODIs.

Although Rishad has not yet made his Test debut, he has already featured in 21 first-class matches, gaining valuable experience. Mushtaq is confident that Rishad will play a major role in the longer format.

“I’m 100% certain — Rishad will play Test cricket,” Mushtaq said.

The coach highlighted Rishad’s height, bounce, and variations as key assets, especially against tail-end batters from strong teams like Australia or England.

“His height and bounce make him particularly dangerous in the final overs. Tail-enders often struggle to read his googlies. But he must earn his place with his bowling,” Mushtaq explained.

Mushtaq also pointed out the importance of Rishad’s interaction with Afghan spin star Rashid Khan in his development.

“During the Asia Cup, I encouraged Rishad to speak with Rashid. They exchanged fantastic insights. Rishad is a different type of bowler, but both share deep knowledge about spin. It’s vital for young players to learn from seniors like Rashid or Adil,” Mushtaq said.

Looking ahead to the second ODI in the series, Mushtaq remains optimistic.

“InshAllah, we can do it. Confidence and mental strength are the keys to success. As a coach, our job is to build belief in the players. If I lose faith, they will feel it. International cricket is as much a mental game as it is skill. Our boys are talented and can challenge any team if they believe in themselves.”

Mushtaq’s confidence underscores the growing belief in Rishad Hossain’s potential to make a significant impact in Bangladesh cricket — not just in limited-overs cricket, but also in the Test arena.