Bangladesh pacer Rubel Hossain has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a career that spanned 159 matches for his country.
The 36-year-old confirmed the decision in a message shared on Facebook with her 3.5 million followers on Wednesday.
Rubell last played for Bangladesh in April 2021 against the New Zealand national cricket team in a T20 International in Auckland. Since then, a series of injuries have limited his involvement even in domestic cricket.
He is fondly remembered for his match-winning knock against the England national cricket team during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Adelaide.
In a decisive spell, Rubel dismissed Ian Bell and captain Eoin Morgan in quick succession before dismissing Stuart Broad and James Anderson to finish with figures of 4 for 53.
“I am fast bowler Rubel Hossain. I have played 27 Tests, 104 ODIs and 28 T20Is for Bangladesh,” wrote Hossain.
“The national team is my choice. But at some point I had to quit international cricket. Keeping that in mind, I said goodbye to international cricket. However, I will continue to play domestic cricket. Thanks to my family, friends, media and fans. I hope you will continue to support me throughout my life,” he added.
Rubel burst onto the international scene in 2009 during a nationwide talent hunt by Bangladesh pace coach Sampaka Ramanayake. Known for his drifting action and ability to generate speeds of over 140 kmph, he quickly made an impact.
He became the first Bangladeshi bowler to take four wickets in an ODI in 2009 when he took 4 for 33 against the Sri Lankan national cricket team at Mirpur.
However, he endured a tough dismissal against the same opposition shortly after when Muttiah Muralitharan counter-attacked in the final of the tri-series.
Although Rubel has shown promise in Test cricket, including a five-wicket haul against the New Zealand national cricket team in Hamilton in 2010, he has struggled for consistency in the longer format. He has taken 36 wickets in 27 Tests at an average of 76.77.
He was truly outstanding in ODIs, taking 129 wickets at an average of 34.31. At the time of his retirement, he was Bangladesh’s fifth-highest wicket-taker in ODIs, closely followed by Mehidi Hasan Miraz.
His 26 for 26 against New Zealand in 2013 included 7 fours and a remarkable 6, including a hat-trick.
Interestingly, Rubel took a hat-trick in a domestic one-dayer a week ago, but at the time he was not initially aware of the feat.
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