Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain has retired from international cricket, ending a 13-year stint that produced 159 caps and several indelible memories. The 36-year-old confirmed the decision in a Facebook post to his 3.5 million followers on Wednesday.
“I am pacer Rubel Hossain. I have played 27 Tests, 104 ODIs and 28 T20Is for Bangladesh,” he wrote, before adding: “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. However, I intend to continue playing domestic cricket. 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’s last Bangladesh appearance came in April 2021, a T20I in Auckland. Since then a run of injuries has restricted him largely to sporadic domestic outings. Even so, selectors kept the door ajar; his decision closes it on his own terms.
The right-arm quick was first spotted in 2009 during a country-wide pace-bowling hunt led by Champaka Ramanayake, then the national bowling coach. Ramanayake was taken by Rubel’s slingy action and ability to touch 140 kph – rare speeds in Bangladesh at the time – and drafted the teenager straight into the senior squad.
He made an immediate splash: 4 for 33 on one-day debut against Sri Lanka in Mirpur, still the best figures by a Bangladeshi on ODI bow. Four years later came his career-best 6 for 26 against New Zealand in Fatullah, a spell that included a hat-trick and underlined where his game was most effective – the 50-over format. He finishes with 129 ODI wickets at 34.31, fifth on Bangladesh’s all-time list and only three behind Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who is still playing.
Test cricket proved tougher going. A five-wicket haul in Hamilton in early 2010 hinted at promise, yet he managed only 36 wickets from 27 Tests, conceding nearly 77 runs apiece. Even so, team-mates regularly pointed to the energy he brought to otherwise long days in the field.
Rubel’s defining moment arrived at the 2015 World Cup. Under Adelaide’s floodlights he removed Ian Bell and Eoin Morgan four balls apart, then returned to knock over Stuart Broad and James Anderson, sealing Bangladesh’s first quarter-final berth and knocking England out. Back home, footage of him celebrating with arms spread wide remains a staple of highlight reels.
While the speed did not always come with pinpoint control, his raw pace gave captains an aggressive option – something Mashrafe Mortaza once called “a priceless luxury for us”. Coaches also valued his willingness to bowl at the death, a task he seldom shirked, even during lean spells.
Away from the international scene, Rubel is expected to continue for his Dhaka Premier League side. A place in next season’s Bangladesh Premier League could follow; franchises still search for local bowlers capable of genuine pace.
Retirement statements often end with polite thank-yous and vague plans. Rubel’s closing line felt more personal: “I believe that you will continue to support me for the rest of my life.” Given how many Bangladesh supporters still recall that night in Adelaide, it is likely they will.
