Rishad strikes twice early, but Hobart fall to Melbourne Stars

On a Melbourne night, it was Rishad Hossain who lit up the scoreboard first in Hobart colours. Two quick strikes at the start of the innings hinted at pressure on the opposition from the Bangladesh leg-spinner. Yet despite his early spark, Hobart Hurricanes could not find a smile at the end.
Hobart faced Melbourne Stars in their second Big Bash League match on Thursday. Rishad made an impressive start, picking up two wickets within his first seven balls. Still, on a day when he tasted success with the ball, Hobart suffered an eight-wicket defeat.
Earlier, Rishad had also played a key role in Hobart’s win over Sydney Thunder in their opening match of the tournament. Although he went wicketless that day, conceding just 18 runs in three overs, his disciplined spell played a major part in swinging the match in Hobart’s favour.
After losing the toss, Hobart Hurricanes batted first and posted 158 for 9 in their 20 overs. Ben McDermott anchored the innings with a solid 69 off 52 balls, while Tim David added 31 from 31 deliveries. Coming in down the order, Rishad remained unbeaten on 5 from 3 balls.
With the ball, Rishad struck immediately upon coming into the attack in the sixth over. On the third ball of the over, he dismissed opener Thomas Rogers, who had made 30 off 18 balls. Rogers lofted Rishad’s flighted leg-spin and was caught at long-off. Rishad struck again in his very next over, removing the other opener, Joe Clarke. Clarke attempted a paddle sweep off a short ball and was caught at fine leg, departing for 20 off 20 balls.
However, Marcus Stoinis counter-attacked as soon as he arrived at the crease. After conceding just 14 runs in his first two overs, Rishad went for 19 in his third. From there on, Melbourne Stars lost no more wickets and cruised to victory with 24 balls to spare.
Rishad finished with figures of 2 for 33 from three overs. Campbell scored 41 off 27 balls, while Stoinis remained unbeaten on 62 from 31 deliveries to seal the win for Melbourne. Despite Rishad’s personal success, the absence of a team result meant his flashes of brilliance remained Hobart’s only consolation on the night.