Bangladesh pacer Rubel Hossain announces retirement from Test Cricket

Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain has announced his retirement from Test cricket but will continue to remain in contention for the limited over format. The 32-year-old represented his country in 27 Tests since making his debut in the format against West Indies in 2009 and he picked up 36 wickets overall with the best figures of 5 for 166. He never seemed to have an impact in Tests as he had for Bangladesh in the limited overs format with his slinging action.   

Rubel last played a Test in February 2020 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi where he finished with 3 for 113 after bowling more than 25 overs in the innings. He could not make it to the Test side post that and his economy rate has always been a concern in the longer format although he has a lot of skills. The speedster has now decided to retire from the format to provide the youngsters lot more chances.   

"To provide chances to youngsters I have decided to retire from red-ball cricket," Rubel wrote on his official Facebook account. 

Rubel Hossain not part of the T20 World Cup 2022 squad for Bangladesh 

Few weeks ago, Mushfiqur Rahim had announced his retirement from the T20I format after a poor outing in the Asia Cup 2022 while veteran batter Mahmudullah could not find a place in the T20 World Cup 2022 squad that was announced recently. With Rubel departing ways from Test cricket, there is a clear indication that the youngsters might be groomed after Bangladesh’s early exit in the Asia Cup 2022.   

Rubel was part of the T20 World Cup 2021 squad for Bangladesh but did not feature in the playing XI and he isn’t part of the scheme of things for this year’s T20 World Cup 2022. With Bangladesh forming an array of young fast bowlers, it will be tough for Rubel to make a comeback into the limited overs side, having missed more than one year of international action.