Rishad Hossain signs for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20

The direct signing makes Rishad the first Bangladeshi cricketer to secure a contract in the tournament's history.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape, one of the most successful franchises in the league, have reportedly been monitoring Rishad for some time. The team's coaching staff includes former Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo, who currently serves as the franchise's batting coach.

Alongside Rishad, the franchise has also signed Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh through the direct signing process.

Although Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam had previously been drafted by an SA20 franchise, he never featured in a match, meaning Rishad is set to become the first Bangladeshi to play in the competition.

The 24-year-old has steadily built a strong reputation in franchise cricket through his performances in T20 leagues around the world. He claimed 12 wickets for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League, before impressing in Australia's Big Bash League, where he took 15 wickets in 11 innings for Hobart Hurricanes to finish among the tournament's leading spinners.

The next SA20 season is scheduled to run from January 9 to February 4, 2027, a window that is expected to overlap with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

As a result, Rishad could once again face a scheduling decision between domestic and overseas franchise commitments.

Having previously opted to play in the Big Bash League during the BPL window, another stint in one of the world's leading T20 leagues is expected to further enhance Rishad's experience at both international and franchise level.