Rubel cleared for take-off

Pacer Rubel Hossain was scheduled to take the Emirates 1:15am flight to join the Bangladesh team in Benoni. Rubel finally received the required security clearance yesterday.

Rubel had to return home from the airport last Saturday as he did not manage to board the flight after he failed to obtain a No Objection Certificate from South Africa's immigration security agencies. Under current rules, NOC is a requirement whether one has obtained a visa or not.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan told the reporters yesterday that: "We have communicated with South Africa and they contacted their home ministry. We got all the information why he couldn't go immediately. There is another person with Rubel's name, date of birth and everything matches but they are different people. So the one who is banned is not our cricketer and that is what we have gotten confirmed."

Rubel missed the ongoing three-day practice match at Benoni but he will be available for selection for the first Test which will start from September 28 at Potchefstroom.