- May 23, 2025
Just when you thought the PSL eliminators couldn’t get any spicier, here comes a plot twist straight out of a cricketing movie! Rishad Hossain, Bangladesh’s next best leg-spinner, is back in the Lahore Qalandars’ fold ahead of the must-win eliminator against the Karachi Kings. After flying straight back from a T20I series that took place in Sharjah, Rishad is ready to represent Lahore, and all of a sudden, their spin attack looks a lot more palatable. With three spinners from Bangladesh and the PSL final on the horizon, Lahore’s bowlers are starting to feel like a Rubik’s cube – complex, colorful, and scintillating! Rishad’s back — game-changer alert for the Qalandars?
Spin City: Qalandars’ Three-Man Bangladeshi Spin Department
Lahore Qalandars now have an exclusive combination: a trio of Bangladeshi spinners with unique spins. You have the ever-reliable all-around ability of Shakib Al Hasan, the steady control ability of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and now you have the unbridled freedom of Rishad Hossain. With Shakib featuring rarely and Mehidy newly inducted, Rishad stands out, having played five matches this season, taking nine wickets at an average of 16.44.
That’s not too shabby for a 21-year-old wrist spinner who’s still adjusting to the international level. Sure, his last game against UAE was a little disappointing – three wickets but way too many runs – but his PSL figures do the talking when it comes to big stage performances. The real question is whether the Qalandars will use all three spinners, or just one or two, but either way, they have plenty of options to choose from.
Between a Shaheen and a Rauf Place: The Selection Dilemma
It’s a pleasant headache to have. But still a headache. Lahore already has two fiery pacers, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, who have essentially walked onto the playing eleven. So there are only a few available spots for bowlers, and with three spinners in consideration, someone will be on the bench.
A lot of team dynamics will be dependent on the match-ups. The Karachi Kings are never good players of spin historically, so that may entice the Qalandars to possibly take a risk and play more than one spinner. But if the pitch indicates it will favour pace, Rishad could be in a tight race against the more experienced Shakib and Mehidy for the spot. And the wild card? Rishad’s leg-spin brings another variable to the table – it’s possible he could have the edge over the other two competitors in a high-pressure knockout that seeks the leg-spinner.
From Sharjah to Showtime: What Rishad’s Return Really Means
Let’s be real—being flown back into the PSL only days after finishing an international series is a big trust factor. The Qalandars obviously value Rishad. And with the BCB extending him an NOC until May 25, it’s obvious they want him to finish what he started. His return is not just a dynamic and impactful addition to the squad, it’s a definitive show of intention.
Rishad, who is raw, did not get a good going against the UAE. He can either be molded, or he could do the opposite, with pressure. There’s a PSL final coming, the lights are about to shine like searching stadiums, and he has the opportunity to become more than a development player and impact the Qalandars as a match-winner in the future.
The Qalandars now possess a remarkable spin trio, a strong bowling unit, and can’t forget an additional leggie eager to impress, and for the first time, depth and options. Are they going to use their whole spinners’ catalogue or be a bit prudent? One thing is for sure: there will be a focus on Rishad when he returns to the PSL oven. Is it T20 recognition time? Let’s see what happens under the Lahore lights.
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