Playing the waiting game

It may not seem especially fortunate to him, but Rubel Hossain’s career trajectory has reflected, if at times inversely, the booming fortunes of the Bangladesh cricket team. The enduring memory of Bangladesh’s march to their maiden World Cup quarterfinal in 2015 is Rubel’s searing pace and accuracy while demolishing England in Adelaide. Over the last two years only Mustafizur Rahman and Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has taken more ODI wickets than Rubel’s 35, but he is still not an automatic choice in the Bangladesh eleven, as evidenced by the fast bowler playing just one match in Bangladesh’s tri-series triumph in Ireland.

It points to the growing options in Bangladesh’s pace-bowling ranks as the likes of Mohammad Saifuddin with his all-round utility have given the team management more food for thought, especially with head coach Steve Rhodes preferring no more than one bowler in the lineup who is not useful with the bat. Mustafizur, a death-overs specialist, has been the preferred option in that slot.

The Bangladesh cricket team were in high demand as they made their way to training at the Cathedral School ground yesterday, with fans clamouring for an autograph or picture. Luckily for the youngsters present, the Tigers happily obliged their requests. Photo: Sakeb Subhan

“Of course, it’s tough. If I get the chance I will of course try to play my best cricket,” Rubel told reporters during team practice at the Cathedral School ground in Cardiff yesterday.  “Everyone wants to perform and I am no different. It’s about waiting for the opportunity.”

The Tigers’ preparation for the World Cup starting at The Oval on May 30 will take a serious turn when they take on Pakistan at Cardiff in an official warm-up game at the Sophia Gardens tomorrow. There will be a second warm-up against India, and these two matches may be crucial for Rubel to stake a claim.

“Of course, if I get the chance, I will try my utmost to play good cricket. If I perform here, then I may get a chance in the main match,” said a hopeful Rubel, who recently fully recovered from a side strain and said that he has been bowling at full pace and off a full run-up in the last three practice sessions.

His presence in the squad should be a boon for the Tigers as the World Cup will be played on flat tracks where totals are expected to exceed 300 regularly. In that light, having a robust bowling department with a good bench strength may prove to be the difference.

“We had a tri-nation in Ireland, and we have seen matches here. Many of us have also played matches here and we know that teams score 300-350 here quite easily. So it will be a tough job for us to bowl well. There will of course be a plan -- we have to talk to the coach, captain and the bowling coach about this and work on it; how to concede fewer runs and extract wickets,” Rubel, himself a skilled death-overs bowler, said. “Everyone is working hard on death-overs bowling, bowling in the middle overs as well as with the new ball.

“I want to bowl well, and contribute to winning matches,” said Rubel when asked about his targets. “Everyone wants to perform well in the World Cup as the whole cricket world will be watching. If I can play every match and perform well, then my target obviously will be to be in the top five.”