‘I have some regrets about my Test career’

"Goes for hero! Bowled him! The Bangladesh Tigers have knocked the English Lions out of the World Cup!"

It has been more than five years since commentator Nasser Hussain made this iconic statement at Adelaide. And that wouldn't have been possible if Rubel Hossain had not clattered James Anderson's stumps with a fireball. 

Rubel Hossain, one of Bangladesh's finest-ever seamers, has seen ups like this one and also horrible lows. His career has been an album full of hit and miss tracks and slowly, he has moved on to the wrong side of 30. 

The Business Standard (TBS) caught up with the seamer and talked about his career, the controversies and what he intends to do once his cricketing career comes to a close.

TBS: BCB has allowed cricketers back in the field. How big of a relief was that?

I am feeling great. We have been out of skill practice for quite some time. Also, how long can you stay like this? 

TBS: How tough is it to stay at home, without cricket? 

It is very difficult. Cricket is the source of our bread and butter. Also, our bodies are not used to such long breaks like this. We have breaks of like 10-12 days during normal situations. So, it was very saddening and difficult for us. 

TBS: How will not being in the game for a long time affect the cricketers? 

I don't think there will be any problems. Because we will not play a match directly after such a break. I believe we will get some time to return to our full ability. There might be a little problem for the seamers but they are all working on it. So I don't think there will be massive impacts.

TBS: How did it feel after dismissing James Anderson in the 2015 World Cup? 

I cannot put that emotion into words. I cannot express how I felt. I was being applauded by everyone in the team. 

At some point in my life, I will have to retire. I feel proud looking back at that match and how I performed in such an important match for Bangladesh. 

TBS: Do you think the result would have been different if your delivery was not judged a no-ball against India? 

It is difficult to say. We saw in the replays that it could have been not called a no-ball. You never know in cricket, something might have happened. We would have been invigorated by that wicket. Rohit is a different type of batsman. After he gets set, he hammers the bowlers all around the park. If he was out then, we could have got more spirited and the team's expression might have changed. So, maybe that made it easier for India. If he would have been out, we could have done better. 

TBS: Despite a Test debut in 2009, you have only played in 27 Tests. Do you regret that?

Definitely, I have some regrets about my Test career. Our wickets are generally spin-friendly, it is difficult for the seamers to be successful here. Maybe they can bowl economically but picking wickets is a little tough. I am not just talking about me, you can see that by looking at other seamers as well. 

I have very few wickets in Tests. Maybe that is why I have been selected less for Tests, I have played after month-long breaks. But I played regularly at the start. Maybe I bowled well, bowled economically but ultimately, it is the wickets which matter in Tests. Everyone wants wickets in Test matches, unlike ODIs or T20Is. I have picked up fewer wickets in Tests and maybe that has pushed me down the pecking order. But I am trying, I have played a Test in Pakistan this year and picked up three wickets. And then, I was dropped all of a sudden. Now, everything is God's will. I am never impatient. There is no end to learning and I am trying to improve as much as I can. 

TBS: You had some hurdles to cross before going to the 2015 World Cup. What was your mental state at the time? 

People face problems in their life. BCB President Nazmul Hassan, BCB Director Naimur Rahman Durjoy and Akram Khan helped me a lot, I will remain grateful to them forever. Because if they wouldn't have given me the opportunity, maybe I wouldn't have played the World Cup. 

TBS: How disappointing was it to not play the semi-final in the 2019 World Cup? 

It was very disappointing. Because the team we had was one of the best teams in the tournament. It was a balanced team. 

Shakib bhai played really well, Mushfiq bhai accompanied him, Tamim bhai played well in a couple of matches. Only if the other batsmen could support Shakib bhai and Mushfiq bhai a little better, we could have won the close matches we lost, and qualified. 

Also, we all know that Mashrafe bhai is the best bowler in Bangladesh. If he could have done a little better, I think the bowling department would have looked a little better. 

TBS: The World T20 and Asia Cup have been postponed - your thoughts on that? 

ICC has come to such a decision after analysing the situation of the whole world. As a cricketer, it is very frustrating. But they have taken the decision based on the situation and I believe it is for the best. 

TBS: How was it working under Courtney Walsh? 

He is a good coach but more important than that, he is a very gentle and humble person. We have all tried to learn as much as we can from him. 

TBS: There are a lot of seamers around the national side now. Do you think this tough competition is better for the team? 

Competition is good for the team. I always enjoy the competition. When there are competitors for the same position in a team, a player knows he will be dropped if he does not play well. 

One thing for me is, whoever performs must get the opportunity. It becomes difficult if you are dropped after playing well. 

TBS: How have you changed after marriage?

I am focused on cricket now as I was back then. Before marriage, I used to hang out with my friends. Now, I take care of my family and spend my time with them.

TBS: Do you want to join politics after retirement?

Are you asking me this based on my Facebook post? (laughs) No, no, I don't have any thoughts of joining politics after I retire from cricket. But I want to do good work. I don't need to be a politician to do good work. You need the heart to do good work, like Mashrafe bhai is doing right now, Shakib bhai is doing through his foundation, Mushfiq bhai is doing. I will try to do as much good work as I can.

I always speak the truth, I don't care about what others have to say. So, I have no thoughts of joining politics.