Bangladesh needs bowling coach: Rubel

Rubel Hossain, the Bangladesh fast bowler, has emphasised the importance of having a bowling coach in the national set up. The position has been vacant since Heath Streak, the former Zimbabwe captain, quit in May.

‘We really need a bowling coach,’ Rubel said. ‘We can learn new things from him. We are professional cricketers who have picked up things from different coaches and there’s no end to learning. When I am trying something new in the nets, a coach has much impact with his tips.’

The vacancy in the bowling coach’s post was extended after Aaqib Javed turned down an offer in June. While the BCB still haven’t confirmed a new bowling coach, Aaqib is currently in Bangladesh for a seven-day stint as fast bowling consultant at the High Performance camp in Dhaka, reports ESPNCricInfo.

He will also work with the bowlers in the Bangladesh team including Rubel, who wants to pick up reverse swing from Aaqib. ‘Pakistani bowlers are really skillful when it comes to swinging the ball, especially reverse swing. So there’s a lot to learn from him.’

The ongoing fitness camp marks a comeback of sorts for Rubel, who has been out since Bangladesh A’s tour of India in August 2015. He missed the two series against Zimbabwe as well as the Asia Cup and World T20 earlier this year.

Rubel said his focus is on increasing his pace apart from working on a slower delivery. ‘I am working hard to keep my strength - bowling fast and yorkers - in its place. I am trying to return to my old pace though it hasn’t really gone down too much during the Dhaka Premier League,’ he said.

‘I have been working on a different type of delivery for a long time in training. I basically hold the ball between my fingers and deliver it. The ball is supposed to slow down after pitching. If I can deliver it properly, it will be quite successful. I really want to add a few variations to my bowling because I can only bowl fast.’