Rubel quits Test cricket to 'provide youngsters more opportunities'

Bangladesh quick Rubel Hossain took to social media to announce his retirement from Test cricket today.

The 32-year-old, who made his Test debut in 2009 against the West Indies, scalped 36 wickets in 27 Tests for Bangladesh, including a fifer in Hamilton against New Zealand in 2010. Rubel last played a Test in February 2020 against Pakistan, in which he picked three wickets.

Rubel posted the following from his official Facebook account: "Assalamualaikom. I wanted to inform an issue. I have officially submitted a letter to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and decided to retire from Test cricket,"

"The longer version of cricket plays a big role in strengthening the national team's pipeline. I think our pipeline will strengthen more if the young pacers get more opportunities. In order to provide the youngsters more opportunities in the red-ball format, I have decided to retire from Test cricket. 

"I was able to able to play 27 Tests for Bangladesh, which is a big achievement for me.

"Those who have helped me during my journey with the red ball cricket, I am grateful to all of them and I hope I will get your support in the coming days as well. I may have retired from Test cricket but I believe I still have a lot to give in the ODI and T20I formats for Bangladesh.

"I will continue playing in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL), the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) along with the other white-ball tournaments. Pray for me so that I can gift you with colourful dreams in white-ball formats."

With new pacers creating an impression in the national colours, Rubel's accuracy with the red ball worked against his favour as the fast-bowler kept finding himself falling down in the pecking order. His economy-rate of 3.92 remains the third-highest in Test history, behind Shahadat Hossain (4.16) of Bangladesh and India's RP Singh (3.98).    

As a tail-ender, his batting average remains close to 10, with his best innings being the one he played against Zimbabwe in 2014, during which he struck four sixes and two fours for his unbeaten 44-ball 45. Bangladesh won by 186 runs in that Chattogram Test. 

 In 60 first-class matches, the right-arm quick picked up 97 wickets, including four five-wicket hauls.