Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain retires from international cricket

Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, April 15. Hossain made his international debut in 2009 and went on to play 27 Tests, 104 ODIs and 28 T20Is. His last appearance for his national side came in 2021, during a T20I against New Zealand, where he registered figures of 0/33 in two overs.

Hossain announced his decision through a Facebook post, calling the national team his passion. However, he mentioned that he would continue playing domestic competitions and thanked his friends and family for the support.

“I am pace bowler Rubel Hossain. I have played 27 Tests, 104 ODIs, and 28 T20Is for Bangladesh. The national team is my passion. But there comes a time when one has to bid farewell to international cricket. With that thought in mind, I have decided to say goodbye to international cricket. However, I intend to continue playing in domestic competitions,” wrote Hossaini in a post on his Facebook account.

“I would like to thank my family, friends, members of the media, and my fans. I believe you will continue to keep me by your side in the days to come, just as you always have,” he added.

While Hossain didn’t have a memorable career in Tests, where he scalped 36 wickets from 27 matches at an average of 76.77, he made valuable contributions in both ODIs and T20Is. Hossain was the second fast bowler from Bangladesh to scalp 100 ODI wickets and also the third from his country to take a hat-trick in the format against New Zealand in 2013.

Hossain's 2015 World Cup heroics

During his spell, he also registered the joint-best figures by a Bangladesh bowler in ODIs (6/26) alongside Mashrafe Mortaza as he was named Player of the Match in his team’s 43-run victory.

Hossain’s most memorable performance of his career came against England in the 2015 World Cup, where his four-wicket haul guided his team to the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time and knocked England out of the competition. He also played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s 5-0 ODI series whitewash against New Zealand in 2010, scalping six wickets from three innings.

Hossain scalped 129 wickets in his ODI career from 104 matches at an average of 34.31 and an economy of 5.67. In T20Is, he has 28 wickets to his name from as many matches at an average of 32.57 with best figures of 3/31.