Fostering Leg Spinners: A Match-Driven Approach, Says Habibul Bashar

Bangladesh has long grappled with the quest for a quality leg-spinner in cricket. Head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe emphasizes the importance of having a leg spinner for success in white-ball cricket,

SBS Desk

December 30, 2023

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Fostering Leg Spinners: A Match-Driven Approach, Says Habibul Bashar

Bangladesh has long grappled with the quest for a quality leg-spinner in cricket. Head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe emphasizes the importance of having a leg spinner for success in white-ball cricket, prompting selectors to take initiatives. Selector Habibul Bashar Suman insists that developing a leg spinner requires more than just practice—it necessitates match experience.

Expressing his views during the BCL final at Mirpur Sher Bangla Cricket Stadium, Habibul said, "Finding a leg spinner has been a prolonged quest for us. In other tournaments, they often don't secure a prominent spot in the XI. However, in the BCB tournament, they have a chance to play a meaningful role. Developing a leg spinner is challenging through practice alone; one must engage in matches. Hence, we mandated leg spinners to play at least one match. If their performance is commendable, the coach may choose to play them in subsequent matches."

Observing BCL matches, Habibul advocates for more opportunities for leg spinners, stating, "Having watched matches in Cox's Bazar, I believe they show promise. Utilizing leg spinners wisely is crucial, and our coaches and captains need to support them. Despite their mixed success in the matches played, consistent opportunities could lead to a positive impact in the future."

He added, "In a few innings, I've seen instances of taking crucial wickets or making an impact.With regular opportunities, I envision improved performances from them."

Highlighting Rishad Hossain's inclusion in the national team as a leg spinner, Habibul expressed satisfaction with Rishad's ongoing performance against New Zealand. He emphasized the importance of patience with leg spinners, acknowledging their unpredictable nature. Despite potential fluctuations in performance, he believes patience is key to unlocking their full potential in both domestic and international cricket.