Rishad Hossain SA20 : The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has said that it has not yet made a decision on whether leg-spinner Rishad Hossain will be allowed to play in the SA20 2027. The uncertainty comes after Rishad signed with Sunrisers Eastern Cape, while the tournament is expected to overlap with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
Rishad recently became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to be signed by an SA20 franchise, joining Sunrisers Eastern Cape for the 2027 season. The tournament is scheduled to run from January 9 to February 4, 2027, a period during which the next edition of the BPL is also likely to be held.
BPL Schedule Yet to Be Announced
Although the BPL Governing Council has not officially confirmed the dates for the upcoming season, the tournament is expected to take place between January and February. The Bangladesh Cricket Board is also working to involve leading corporate organizations in running the league to avoid the financial and payment issues that affected previous editions.
If the two tournaments are held at the same time, the BCB will have to decide whether Rishad will be released to play in South Africa or remain available for the domestic T20 league.
BCB Awaits Official NOC Request
A BCB official confirmed that no decision has been taken so far and that the matter will only be considered after Sunrisers Eastern Cape submit an official request for a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
“If the BPL doesn’t take place during that period, there are no problems. If both tournaments overlap, the board will review the matter and take a decision,” a BCB official told Cricbuzz.
The official also explained that the franchise will first need to apply for the NOC before the board discusses the issue.
Every NOC Will Be Reviewed Individually
The BCB made it clear that each NOC request is considered on its own merits and previous decisions will not influence the upcoming one.
“Every single NOC is treated on an individual basis. Just because Rishad missed the BPL once to play in the Big Bash League doesn’t mean the same decision will be taken again. Once he applies for the NOC, the board will decide whether to allow him to participate in the SA20 if it clashes with the BPL,” the official said.
Rishad in Excellent Franchise Cricket Form
Rishad Hossain heads into the SA20 after an impressive run in franchise cricket. He claimed 12 wickets for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) before enjoying another successful campaign with the Hobart Hurricanes in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).
The leg-spinner picked up 15 wickets in 11 innings, finishing as the joint-leading wicket-taking spinner in the tournament. His consistent performances played a key role in earning him a contract with Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
Final Decision Still Pending
For now, Rishad Hossain’s participation in the SA20 remains uncertain. The Bangladesh Cricket Board will take a final call only after receiving the official NOC request and confirming the schedule of the Bangladesh Premier League. Until then, it remains to be seen whether Bangladesh’s premier leg-spinner will feature in the SA20 or stay available for the BPL.
Niraj Yadav is the Founder of Kehlsamachar.com and a passionate cricket content writer. He covers match previews, reports, live updates, player performances, points tables, and major cricket tournaments, bringing readers clear, reliable, and up-to-date sports coverage.