I used knuckleball before: Rubel

Knuckleball is frequently used by the pace bowlers in the on-going Indian Premier League. It is also proving a good variation for the bowler in a format where batsmen rule the roost. And Bangladesh pace bowler Rubel Hossain is aware to this kind of delivery.

"I have practiced it before. We actually called it butterfly delivery. I used the butterfly delivery a few times back in the New Zealand tour. This is a good variation and a matter of growing confidence," Rubel told reporters at the BCB headquarters in Mirpur today.

Knuckleball is widely used in baseball, a delivery where finger nails are used so that the pace gets reduced without affecting the action of delivery.

The 28- year-old who has just recovered from illness said that he is feeling good and needs to work on his fitness ahead of the upcoming Afghanistan and West Indies series. Regarding the West Indies tour in July, the pacer with the slinging action said that the Caribbean condition always assists the pace bowlers.

"They might look to make a fast bowling friendly pitch.  Need to take advantage of the practice match and sessions and prepare accordingly for it," he added

However, Rubel was not optimistic of getting bowling friendly pitches during the World Cup in England next year.

"The idea in a World Cup is to entertain the crowd and probably the ICC would want a flat high scoring modern pitch. So we need to keep that in mind and prepare accordingly," observed the Bangladesh ace fast bowler, adding that he will definitely try his best if gets selected for the showpiece event.

Rubel admits that he is very much happy to be included in the BCB central contract which will only encourage him to do better in the future.