Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana are no longer afraid. After days of uncertainty in Pakistan, the two Bangladeshi cricketers have safely arrived in the United Arab Emirates, leaving behind the life-threatening risks they faced during the recent military tensions between India and Pakistan.
Rishad Hossain flight landed in Dubai early Saturday morning, where he shared his harrowing experience with reporters. “Alhamdulillah, we have overcome the crisis and reached Dubai. Now I feel relieved,” he said.
The escalating conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors since last Tuesday had sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, particularly among foreign players in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL). Many, including Rishad Hossain, were stranded for days amid the chaos.
According to Rishad Hossain, England’s Tom Curran his Lahore Qalandars teammate was the most visibly shaken. “He went to the airport but broke down like a child upon hearing it was closed. It took two or three people to calm him,” Rishad recalled.
The panic was widespread. New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell reportedly vowed never to play in Pakistan again under such circumstances. “All the foreign players Sam Billings, Kusal Perera, David Wiese, even Mitchell were terrified,” Rishad Hossain said. “Mitchell told me in Dubai he wouldn’t return to Pakistan, especially during a crisis. Everyone was on edge.”
Peshawar Zalmi’s Nahid Rana also endured tense moments. “Nahid was unusually quiet, probably from stress,” Rishad Hossain shared. “I kept reassuring him we’d be safe. Alhamdulillah, we made it to Dubai unharmed.”
With the worst behind them, the duo can now focus on cricket and recovery away from the shadow of war.