[CRK]
Rubel Hossain Bids Farewell to International Cricket
Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain has officially announced his retirement from international cricket. The 36-year-old pacer, known for his unique bowling action and ability to generate raw pace, shared the news with his 3.5 million Facebook followers on Wednesday, bringing an end to a distinguished career consisting of 159 international caps for the Tigers.
Rubel’s final international appearance came in April 2021, during a T20I against New Zealand in Auckland. However, the decision to come to terms with the article of retirement was accelerated by persistent injuries that have limited his participation even in domestic cricket over the last few years.
A Legacy of World Cup Heroics
Bangladesh fans will forever remember Rubel for his explosive performance in the 2015 World Cup match against England in Adelaide. In a pivotal moment of the tournament, Rubel dismantled England’s batting lineup, claiming 4 for 53. He famously nipped out Ian Bell and England captain Eoin Morgan in the space of just four balls, before adding Stuart Broad and James Anderson to his tally. It was a match-winning display that cemented his status as a fan favorite.
The Rise of a Raw Talent
Rubel’s journey into the professional game began in 2009, when he was discovered by Champaka Ramanayake, the then fast-bowling coach of Bangladesh, during a countrywide pacer hunt. With a slingy bowling action and the ability to clock 140kph, Rubel brought a necessary aggression to the Bangladesh bowling attack.
Rubel made an immediate impact on the ODI debut, becoming the first Bangladesh bowler to take four wickets on debut, with 4 for 33 against Sri Lanka in Mirpur. While he experienced the highs of the highs—such as a late blowout against the same opponents in a tri-series final two days later where he was targeted by Muthiah Muralidaran—his resilience defined his early career.
Analyzing the Numbers: ODI Success vs. Test Match Struggles
Rubel had mixed success across the different formats of the game. He found the longest format of the game particularly challenging; finishing with 36 wickets in 27 Tests at a high average of 76.77. This average remains the highest among all bowlers who have bowled at least 4,000 deliveries.
However, he truly thrived in the ODI format. Rubel retires as Bangladesh’s fifth-highest wicket-taker in ODIs, picking up 129 wickets at an average of 34.31. His white-ball prowess was highlighted by seven four-wicket hauls and a stunning 6 for 26 against New Zealand in 2013, a performance that included a hat-trick.
Continuing the Domestic Journey
In his retirement announcement, Rubel expressed his passion for the national team, stating: “I am pacer Rubel Hossain. I have played 27 Tests, 104 ODIs and 28 T20Is for Bangladesh. The national team is my passion. But at some point, I had to leave international cricket. With that in mind, I said goodbye to international cricket.”
While he steps away from the international stage, Rubel has confirmed his intention to continue playing domestic cricket, aiming to support the next generation of pacers in his Bangladesh domestic circuit.
He concluded his message to his fans with a heartfelt thank you: “Thank you to my family, friends, media personnel and fans. I believe that you will continue to support me for the rest of my life.”
Rubel Hossain’s Career Summary
- Tests: 27 matches, 36 wickets
- ODIs: 104 matches, 129 wickets
- T20Is: 28 matches
- Total International Caps: 159
- Career Highlight: 4 for 53 vs England (2015 World Cup)
- ODI Peak: 6 for 26 vs New Zealand (2013, including hat-trick)
