For years, Md Rubel’s life was divided into two worlds. By day, he worked as a marriage registrar in Chattogram to support his family. By evening, he transformed into a cricketer fighting his way through the lower leagues. His story is now one of the most unlikely rises in Bangladesh cricket, going from Madrasa tournaments and tape-ball games to becoming the Emerging Player of the Tournament in the NCL T20 this year.
And now, the recognition is finally official. Rubel has been signed by Rajshahi in the Bangladesh Premier League for Tk11 lakhs.
In this exclusive interview with the Daily Times of Bangladesh, the mystery spinner shares his journey, his unusual dual career, and why he believes Madrasa cricket is an untapped goldmine of talent.
People may not know that you were working full time as a marriage registrar while playing at a competitive level. How did you manage both?
Yes, I worked as a marriage registrar for several years. I used to work during the day and then go to training or a match. It was very difficult, but I had to support my family. Work never stopped me from playing cricket. I kept both going. Cricket slowly became my other profession. There were days when I finished officiating a ceremony and went straight to a match. Those times were challenging but they kept me motivated.
Where did your cricket journey begin?
It started in the simplest way. I used to play tape ball cricket in school with my friends. I was good at it and that gave me confidence. After that I started playing Madrasa cricket. Madrasa cricket changed everything for me. It made me competitive. My elder brother and father-in-law were involved in cricket and I just followed them around. I did not know anything about academies, trials or professional cricket at that time.
How important was the Madrasa environment in your career?
A very important part. When I was studying in Kamil Madrasa the standard of cricket was very high. There were tournaments and competition everywhere. People do not realise how many talented players are hidden in that system. I have seen many boys in Madrasa cricket who can easily play Premier League and higher. If cricket authorities search there, they will find very good players. I am one example of that pathway.
You began as a pace bowler. How did the shift to spin happen?
I was always a pace bowler in tape ball cricket and even when I started playing in school and local tournaments. But when I joined the league system in Chattogram, I realised that I needed to develop something different. There were many spinners, but I wanted to offer something that was not common. I first switched to off spin and then started thinking about variations that batters would struggle to pick.
So that is how the mystery spin came in. How did you develop it?
It took years. I played for a long time in second division, Premier League and the Dhaka leagues. I was always trying to find something unique. Before the NCL I worked on mystery spin for two months every day. I learned by bowling against good players like Irfan Shukkur, Yasir Ali Rabbi and Naim Hasan. They helped me a lot in nets. One day I was bowling to Mahmudullah Riyad and he advised me to speed up my follow-through. After that my release improved immediately. I did not copy a single bowler. I was inspired by mystery spin in general and I kept experimenting until I found something that worked.
You dominated in the lower leagues for years. Was that frustrating?
Sometimes it was. I kept taking wickets every season. Many years I took 17 to 20 wickets. I always believed I deserved a chance. I knew that if I got one opportunity everything would change. There were seasons when I refused smaller offers because I wanted to be in a good environment and get game time. I trusted myself even when chances were not coming.
The breakthrough came in the NCL T20. Did you expect to be the Emerging Player of the Tournament?
No, I just wanted to perform well. Before the NCL I took 15 wickets in five matches in a regional tournament and that gave me confidence. In the NCL I tried to bowl my best in every match. When the award came, I was very happy because it was the first major recognition of my career.
This year Rajshahi picked you in the BPL for Tk11 lakhs. What did that mean for you?
It meant everything. I waited for this for a long time. Last year I hoped for a chance but it did not come. This year when I was selected for Tk11 lakhs it felt like the years of effort finally had value. Rajshahi is a very balanced side, with experienced players like Murshid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Tanjid Tamim and also many young players. If I get the opportunity, I want to contribute immediately.
You also have a big family responsibility. How has that shaped your career?
I have four brothers. I helped send two of them abroad. Another has a business because of my support. I always had responsibilities. Even when I had financial problems, people helped me. Irfan bhai in particular supported me when I did not have money for equipment or travel. My registrar job helped me look after my family and now cricket is helping even more.
You have played a lot of domestic cricket already. Your numbers are very strong.
Yes. Across domestic and recorded league cricket I have played 108 matches, scored 894 runs and taken 201 wickets. Last season in the Dhaka First Division League I finished as the highest wicket taker with 43 wickets. Those numbers give me confidence and show that I have been performing for a long time.
Where do you want to go from here?
Right now my focus is the BPL. I want to perform well for Rajshahi. After that the dream is always to play for Bangladesh. If I can come this far from Madrasa cricket and tape ball, then anything is possible. Cricket has given me a new life. I want to take this chance as far as it goes.
By the numbers
• Recorded domestic and league matches: 108
• Runs scored: 894
• Wickets taken: 201
• Highest wicket taker in the Dhaka First Division League last season: 43 wickets
