DHAKA, April 19, 2022 (BSS) - The Bangladesh cricket experienced two shocking news in the space of just eight hours today.

In the morning, former national cricketer Samiur Rahman Sami, a fine swing bowler of 80's breathed his last.

Before the cricket fraternity recovered from the shocking news, another former national cricketer Mosharraf Hossain Rubel passed away this late afternoon, leaving everyone in a traumatized state.
 
Both of the cricketers however have been battling for life for sometimes now. Rubel, a left-arm spinner who played five ODIs for Bangladesh, last of which was against England in 2016, was battling cancer.

He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March 2019. However, Rubel recovered through treatment before his tumor resurfaced last year in January.

Before Shakib Al Hasan's arrival, Rubel was dubbed as next big thing of Bangladesh after the retirement of team's key spinner Mohammad Rafique, who was the first bowler for Bangladesh to take 100 wickets in both ODI and Test cricket.

 Rafique, indeed himself, termed Rubel as his predecessor but his career did not blossom as expected, largely for his decision to join ICL, a rebel league, which was banned by the ICC and BCCI. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) banned Rubel and others who joined ICL for 10 years.

One year later the board withdrew the ban, paving their way to join mainstream cricket again. But Rubel didn't get his form back to reinforce his case to make a way into the national team. However he was always a big star in the domestic league and played a vital role for a number of teams he represented.

Rubel was Man of the Match in the 2013 BPL final and was in high demand in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) for more than a decade. He also has over 300 first-class wickets to his name.

Meanwhile, Samiur Rahman was an accomplished right-arm seamer noted for his ability to swing the ball. He was a member of Bangladesh's first ODI team which played Pakistan in an Asia Cup fixture in 1986 in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka and would appear in one more ODI for Bangladesh. He represented the country in the ICC Trophy tournaments in 1982 and 1986.

 In the Dhaka League, Samiur Rahman was a prominent name and played for Abahani Krira Chakra, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Bangladesh Biman, Kalabagan Krira Chakra, Azad Boys Club and Brothers Union. He represented Barisal District in the National Cricket Championship. His elder brother Yousuf Rahman is also a former Bangladesh cricketer. Besides cricket, both brothers had played top tier basketball in Bangladesh.

 After retiring as a player, Samiur Rahman went on to officiate in 136 first class, list A and list A T20 matches as a BCB match referee. He also stood as an umpire in 17 first class and 12 list A games.

The BCB and other organization expressed deep sadness at the passing away of the both of the cricketers.