Bangladesh Fast Bowler Rubel Hossain Retires After 12 Years

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-04-16

Bangladesh's fast bowler Rubel Hossain officially stepped away from all international cricket on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. He shared the news in an emotional Facebook post, ending a journey with the national team that spanned more than 12 years. The 36-year-old pacer had not played for Bangladesh since 2021, so the decision didn't come as a complete shock. Still, it marks the close of a significant chapter in the country's cricketing history. While he's leaving the international stage, Rubel plans to keep playing domestic cricket in tournaments like the Dhaka Premier League and the Bangladesh Premier League. ### A Storied Career for Bangladesh Rubel Hossain stands as one of the most successful fast bowlers Bangladesh has ever produced. Over his career, he played in 159 international matches across all formats: 27 Tests, 104 ODIs, and 28 T20Is. In total, he claimed 193 international wickets. His last appearance for the national team came during a T20 series against New Zealand in Auckland back in April 2021. That was nearly five years ago. Rubel admitted that his fitness just isn't at the level needed for top-tier cricket anymore. He felt it was the right time to say goodbye. The Bangladesh Cricket Board shared a post on X thanking Rubel for his service and celebrating his most memorable victories for the country. ### Major Highlights in International Career Rubel's most famous moment came during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Bangladesh faced England in a must-win match in Adelaide. Rubel took 4 wickets for 53 runs, bowling out key players like Eoin Morgan and Ian Bell. He then finished off Stuart Broad and James Anderson to secure a historic win. That victory sent Bangladesh to their first World Cup quarter-final. He started his career with a record-breaking performance too. On his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2009, he took 4 wickets for 33 runs. That made him the first Bangladesh bowler to take four wickets in his first ODI match. Another standout moment came during a match against New Zealand in 2013. Rubel took the wickets of Corey Anderson, Brendon McCullum, and James Neesham in consecutive deliveries to complete a rare ODI hat-trick. He finished that game with 6 wickets for 26 runs. ### Why Rubel Hossain Chose to Retire Now Rubel explained his decision in a social media post. The biggest reason is his age. At 36, maintaining the speed required for international cricket has become tough. He mentioned that his fitness just isn't where it needs to be. He also pointed out that the current Bangladesh team has a balanced mix of pace bowlers and young talent. He believes it's important for these youngsters to get more chances to play at the highest level. Rubel had already retired from Test cricket back in September 2022. He hoped to keep playing ODIs and T20Is, but after being out of the national squad for years, he decided to end his 12-year journey. ### What's Next for Rubel Hossain Even though he's done with international cricket, Rubel isn't leaving the game entirely. He wants to keep playing in the Dhaka Premier League and other domestic tournaments. He's also thinking about exploring coaching or starting a business down the line. Interestingly, he's already well-known in Bangladesh for his motorcycle business. For now, fans can still catch him on the domestic circuit. His legacy as one of Bangladesh's most memorable fast bowlers is secure. ### Key Takeaways from Rubel Hossain's Career - Played 159 international matches across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is - Took 193 international wickets in total - Delivered a historic 4-wicket haul against England in the 2015 World Cup - Claimed a hat-trick against New Zealand in 2013 - First Bangladesh bowler to take 4 wickets on ODI debut Rubel Hossain's retirement closes a remarkable chapter for Bangladesh cricket. He'll be remembered for his pace, his big-match performances, and his contributions to the team's growth on the world stage.