Khairul Alam, Shere Bangla Stadium – After a distinguished twelve-year career donning the national jersey, veteran pacer Rubel Hossain has been officially honored by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
Following his retirement announcement on April 15, the board organized a special farewell ceremony to recognize his immense contribution to Bangladesh cricket.
The ceremony took place on Monday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, just before the start of the second ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand.
BCB President Tamim Iqbal and Director Rafiqul Islam Babu presented Rubel and his son with a special memento and framed jerseys representing the three formats of the game.
An emotional Rubel expressed his gratitude toward the board, specifically thanking President Tamim Iqbal for reaching out personally to arrange the tribute. “When I retired, Tamim Iqbal called me and said they wanted to give me a proper send-off. I am truly grateful to the BCB for this gesture,” Rubel stated.
He also took a moment to thank his family, coaches, and groundstaff, with a special mention for Sarowar Imran, the coach who discovered him through a pacer hunt program.
Rubel’s international career spanned over a decade, during which he claimed 193 wickets across all formats. Known for his slinging action and raw pace, he remains one of Bangladesh’s most impactful fast bowlers, particularly remembered for his heroics in the 2015 World Cup.