‘Moment of pride’: Rubel after emotional BCB farewell

Bangladesh’s former pace star Rubel Hossain was overwhelmed by the love and respect of his peers during the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s tribute on Monday, marking his recent international retirement.

An emotional Rubel, accompanied by his son, touched the surface at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in farewell. He later reflected that the BCB’s tribute left him “proud and grateful”.

Rubel played his last international game in 2021 and has not been a regular in domestic cricket. Last week, he announced his retirement in a social media post.

Rubel has played 104 ODIs, 27 Tests and 28 T20Is for Bangladesh, and during the second ODI, he collected a framed jersey and crest from Tamim at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

“When I announced my retirement on social media, our cricket board president Tamim Iqbal phoned me," Rubel said. 

"He (Tamim) told me that they want to pay a tribute. It’s a moment of happiness and pride for me, and I want to thank the cricket board and the president for creating such a wonderful environment and honouring me,”

Rubel, who took 193 wickets across three formats, also paid tribute to his coach Sarwar Imran.

“The person who made me the Rubel Hossain that I am today… his contribution is something different for me. From bringing me up from pacer hunt to showing me the way forward… that person is my respected coach Sarwar Imran sir. I will always be grateful to him and am hoping for his good health and fortune,” added the 36-year-old.

Rubel also spoke about his parents’ role in his career. “I have been able to come to where I am today thanks to my mother and father, who always inspired and loved me. I am missing them a lot today."

Ace paceman Taskin Ahmed also paid tribute, recalling the 2015 ODI World Cup match against England, the high point of Rubel’s career.

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Taskin said, “I still remember the 2015 World Cup match against England, and the match was difficult. In that tough situation, the two deliveries you bowled helped us qualify."