- May 14, 2025
Fresh off a tumultuous experience in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with the Lahore Qalandars, Rishad made a remark that created headlines from Dhaka to Delhi. Now, he’s clarifying, apologizing, and hoping to move on. But what happened? And what does it say for the modern media environment, player pressure, and the precarious balancing act between honesty and diplomacy in the world of cricket?
The Misquote Maze: How Rishad’s Comment Took Off
This is the timeline: Rishad Hossain, was in Pakistan playing PSL as the India-Pakistan relationship had begun to show signs of unraveling following what seemed like a short announcement on May 9 about the PSL, which then halted all decision-making regarding the tournament. Given the circumstances, he and the other foreign players, along with fellow Bangladeshi fast bowler Nahid Rana, were evacuated out of Pakistan to the UAE on safety charter flights. This should have been the end.
Just a few hours back, while resting in the airport of Dubai en route to Dhaka, Rishad chatted with a couple of Bangladeshi journalists. He discussed how England’s Tom Curran was reportedly “upset” and “in tears” and that New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell seemed reluctant about going back to Pakistan if the security situation didn’t improve.
I don’t know if that’s much of a story. But when Rishad’s comments entered the Indian media, they were sensationalized and devoid of context. The stories were spun into all types of headlines that collectively suggested that, in fact, the foreign players were panicked, which, of course, neither Curran nor Mitchell would ever say publicly. And then, the backlash started.
Rishad’s Apology: Owning Up and Clearing the Air
To Rishad’s credit, he purposely kept the story from getting out of hand. With all the speculation, Rishad issued a public (Broadly termed “Clarification”) apology on Facebook. In the apology, he explained that the comment was made in a short interview where there was no context and was not a regulated reaction. He stated he had also apologized to both Tom Curran and Daryl Mitchell.
It is nice to witness young cricketers keeping their word at a time when so many guys these days utilize PR departments, or in the last two decades, the ex-players utilizing public media disclosures to Downplay the obvious mistakes they had made. Rishad made it a point to emphasize the Qalandars’ brotherhood, respect for his teammates, and truly exhibited maturity beyond his years.
It is worth stating again that Rishad’s statement was not just a slap on the wrist nor just damage control; it was a reminder of how quickly narratives can become warped in politically sensitive situations, like in India-Pakistan. In today’s social media environment, a throwaway comment can go from being an incident today to front-page news tomorrow.
Cricketers Under Pressure: Caught Between Honesty and Headlines
This episode illustrates the difficult balance that international players must maintain. For one, we, the fans, appreciate athletes who express their opinions openly and honestly about their experiences. Conversely, a poorly worded quote can be blown out of proportion and controversy ignited across borders.
Let’s not ignore the fact that English and the questions posed are not a first language for most of the players, and they are in a tough situation trying to navigate the questions under pressure. In this instance, it is important to have some sensitivity and nuance.
In the end, Rishad’s experience serves as an educational opportunity, not just for Rishad, but other media professionals, fans, and other cricketers. Let’s not forget that behind every news story is a human being simply trying to do their job under immense pressure.
The PSL is expected to continue soon, and Rishad is looking forward to getting back with his Qalandars teammates. Hopefully, his forthright introspection and mature response will help him put this recent episode behind him and continue to grow and thrive in international cricket.
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