On his first overseas tour, the 30-year-old has emerged as a standout performer, taking 20 wickets in six matches, including a five-wicket haul against NT Strike on Friday that helped secure the Bangladeshi side’s semifinal spot. Rubel recently spoke to The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan about his unlikely rise, his first overseas experience and his hopes of reaching the national team, and more.

Off-spinner Mohammad Rubel continued his sizzling form, claiming a five-wicket haul as Bangladesh High Performance (HP) secured a three-wicket victory over Northern Territory Strike in the Top End T20 Series at Darwin’s Marrara Cricket Ground on Friday.

Md Rubel produced a magical spell with four wickets for just 15 runs before Shamim Hossain's late hitting guided Bangladesh to 136 for five in 17.2 overs, with 16 balls to spare while chasing 132.