MD Rubel may not fit the usual profile of a young prospect waiting for his international breakthrough, but Bangladesh chief selector Habibul Bashar believes age should not determine how far the mystery spinner can go.
For Bashar, Mike Hussey is the obvious example.
Rubel has been attracting attention with a string of impressive performances in Australia’s Top End T20, taking 22 wickets in six matches. His returns have included 4 for 18, 3 for 25, 4 for 15, 3 for 30, 5 for 21 and 3 for 15.
Bangladesh have been monitoring him since last year’s BPL, and Bashar told ESPNcricinfo that Rubel’s consistency has kept him on the selectors’ radar.
“We have been tracking him since the BPL last year. He is a mystery bowler who performs regularly. He also happens to be a good fielder,” Bashar said.
The selector does not believe Rubel’s age should work against him. Hussey, who made his Australia debut at 30, is the example Bashar uses to illustrate that point.
“He is not too young, but Mike Hussey made his international debut quite late, and he went on to become one of the best batters to play for Australia. Age won’t stand in Rubel’s way,” Bashar said.
Rubel’s numbers have certainly strengthened his case, but Bashar is wary of judging a player’s international potential purely on domestic performances.
“It is difficult to understand the quality of a cricketer solely based on domestic competitions,” he said. “We will find many players who do well in the domestic arena, but can’t really perform at a higher level.”
That is why the selectors want more A-team cricket, which Bashar believes provides a better indication of whether a domestic performer is ready to step up.
“’A’ team tours serve both the players and selectors to understand where they stand. When we get a lot of A-team matches, it helps us identify certain skills and players, and then prepare them for international cricket,” he said.
For now, Rubel’s Top End run has put his name back into the conversation. Whether he can turn that momentum into an international opportunity will depend on how he performs when tested against stronger opposition.
