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Mosharraf Hossain returns for Bangladesh after eight years

The Bangladesh selectors have brought in left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain to replace pacer Rubel Hossain for the third ODI against Afghanistan

Mohammad Isam
Mohammad Isam
29-Sep-2016
Mosharraf Hossain (centre) has played three ODIs, all in March 2008  •  BCB

Mosharraf Hossain (centre) has played three ODIs, all in March 2008  •  BCB

The Bangladesh selectors have brought in left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain to replace pacer Rubel Hossain for the third ODI against Afghanistan.
The decision came in a Wednesday-night selection meeting, soon after the loss to Afghanistan in the second ODI. Rubel had bowled only three overs in that two-wicket defeat, conceding 24 runs. He had fared only slightly better in the first game, particularly in the last few overs when Bangladesh pulled the game back, but still went for 62 runs in nine overs.
In a rocky career so far, Mosharraf, 34, has played three ODIs, all in March 2008, before joining the now-defunct, rebel Indian Cricket League. He was regularly among the top wicket-takers in domestic cricket since the BCB reinstated the ICL players in 2010. He was last picked in the national squad more than three years ago, for the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, but did not get a game. He was then provisionally banned in connection with the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League fixing controversy, but cleared of any wrongdoing by the investigation tribunal. He has performed with bat and ball for Legends of Rupganj this season, but, in June, was suspended for one match in the Dhaka Premier League for misconduct. In August, he was added to Bangladesh's 30-man preliminary squad ahead of the international season.
The ODIs between Bangladesh and Afghanistan currently stand at 1-1, with one match to play in Mirpur on October 1.

Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84