Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain is set to become the second Bangladeshi cricketer to feature in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) granted him a full No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play for the Hobart Hurricanes. The last Bangladeshi to appear in the BBL was Shakib Al Hasan back in 2015.

“It is the board and chairman’s decision to give Rishad full NOC,” a BCB official confirmed when asked about the matter.

Rishad was initially picked by the Hurricanes in last season’s BBL draft but was denied permission due to his Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) commitments. This time, with the BCB’s clearance, he is expected to participate in the tournament, which runs from 14 December to 25 January.

“As per the board, when the NOC request was signed, the board thought about Rishad's future development and felt that his participation in the Big Bash would be a big step forward in his career. That’s why it was approved in his favor,” the source said.

Clarifying speculation about his absence from the BPL, the official added, “Yes, that’s why he didn’t join the BPL. This is very old news. Rishad was given NOC three months ago. He is not in the BPL simply because he had already been granted NOC.”

Given the BPL’s tentative start date of December 19, Rishad will likely skip the domestic T20 competition. The young spinner was selected by the Hurricanes under the guidance of former Australia captain and the team’s head of strategy, Ricky Ponting.

The board emphasized that the decision was taken in the best interest of both the player and Bangladesh cricket. “Everything together, the experience, the exposure, and the players he will share the field with there, will contribute to his career development. Thinking of his future, the BCB believes that playing in the Big Bash is much more beneficial for his growth. He is one of the premier T20 bowlers, and that is why he has been given full NOC, which was issued long before,” the official concluded.