Mohammad Rubel Hossain is known as one of the fastest bowlers ever produced by the Bangladesh cricket team. Born on January 1, 1990, in Bagerhat, a town in southwest Bangladesh, Rubel quickly rose to prominence through his exceptional cricketing skills and his unique slingy action.
Rubel’s cricket journey began in his hometown, where he played tape-ball cricket before catching the attention of talent scouts. His outstanding speed and accuracy were recognized during a fast bowler hunt program, where he emerged as the top speedster. Encouraged by his success, Rubel made his debut in professional cricket in 2007, playing for Khulna Division alongside his idol, Mashrafe Mortaza.
The year 2009 marked a significant milestone for Rubel as he made an explosive entry into the international scene with his One Day International (ODI) debut against Sri Lanka. In this match, Rubel showcased his immense talent by clinching match-winning figures of 4 for 33. While it took him 19 matches to surpass this debut performance, he accomplished this feat with 4 for 25 against New Zealand at the same venue, Mirpur.
Rubel’s meteoric rise continued in the Test format as well. He made his Test debut with a bang, taking three wickets in his very first Test innings. However, he struggled to maintain his momentum during the remainder of the tour to the West Indies. It was only six months later, while playing against New Zealand in Hamilton, that he demonstrated his true potential by delivering his first and only Test five-wicket haul. Although New Zealand recovered from his first-innings strike, Rubel’s performance left a lasting impression.
In ODI cricket, Rubel’s standout performance came against New Zealand in Mirpur during the 2013 home series. His bowling brilliance shone through as he claimed an impressive 6 for 26, propelling his team to victory in the first ODI. This remarkable display of skill set the tone for Bangladesh’s 3-0 series win. Against Sri Lanka, Rubel showcased his consistency, taking seven wickets across three matches played in Mirpur.
Rubel’s excellence was not limited to ODI cricket alone; he also performed exceptionally well in T20 matches. His most notable achievement in this format was a consecutive three-wicket haul against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui in early 2017.
In domestic T20 cricket, Rubel has predominantly represented Dhaka Dynamites and Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). However, he truly excelled when he joined Sylhet Sixers in 2023, impressively taking 14 wickets in just eight games.
As of now, Rubel Hossain continues to be an integral member of the Bangladesh cricket team. With his incredible speed, unorthodox action, and relentless dedication, he has showcased his potential to become one of the greatest fast bowlers the country has ever produced.
