Rubel feeling the pain
The two scorching yorkers that took the Tigers into the quarterfinal of the ICC World Cup 2015 remain as vivid as ever for Bangladesh fans.
Steaming in at the Adelaide Oval against England on March 9, Rubel Hossain fired in two full-length deliveries with so much at stake, deliveries that moved ever so slightly to hit the timber twice. Many consider this little period to be Bangladesh's best moment from the World Cup last year.
11 months on, the tides seemed to have changed. The Tigers are heading into another world event, this time with five pacers, but there isn't any room for the hero of 2015.
Over the last few months, Rubel hurt his calf twice and it took a toll on his performance. After his latest injury, during the Bangladesh Premier League, the board decided to make the pacer go through a long rehabilitation programme, counting him out of the World Cup.
Speaking to The Daily Star yesterday, Rubel admitted that it was hard for him to accept the fact that he was not going to be able to represent Bangladesh in two major events -- the Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 -- in the next few months.
“Honestly speaking, I feel as though my career has gone backwards in the last few months. It does feel bad,” said Rubel.
“I went through a very good phase during the World Cup and even after that. In fact, that period was so good that it even surpassed my own expectations. I never even imagined I could perform like that.
“So to come down from there and not be able to play in the Asia Cup and the World Cup, especially after doing so well in the previous tournaments, it does feel bad,” he added.
A year ago, Bangladesh's pace attack was not as stable as it is today. For starters, there was no Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain was sent back from the World Cup and Taskin Ahmed did not hit his lines and lengths consistently enough.
It was a period when the pace department depended a lot more on Rubel. His performance levels did not recede after the World Cup either. In fact, he was so consistent that it compelled the team management to change its strategy of using three spinners in the last two crunch ODIs against South Africa in July. Having been dropped for the first ODI, he returned with two two-wicket hauls in the second and third.
Today however, all Rubel does is watch his national colleagues from afar, either on television or from the gymnasium of the stadium where he does most of his rehabilitation work.
“I have been injured before and I know that I can get back from here. So I am fine… that's not an issue. But sometimes it feels bad when others feel disappointed. For instance, my parents -- they are crazy cricket lovers and they felt bad when they came to know,” Rubel said with a rueful smile.
Despite the tough times, Rubel remains strong and tries to stay focused on his target: hitting the ground running as soon as possible.
“Every morning I go to the stadium for rehab. Then I comeback home and keep myself busy. There's a lot of cricket going on… the PSL, MCL, the World Cup, I enjoy watching these. Watching the legends play in the MCL is actually a lot of fun.
“I am a lot better than before. I have begun bowling with minimal effort and I know if I can continue this I can bowl with full intensity soon. I just want to get back to the field at any cost because I know I have a lot more in me,” said the 26-year-old.
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