Kamrul Islam

Kamrul Islam Rabbi spent much of his young life pounding the unresponsive pitches in Bangladesh's first-class scene. He is a right-arm medium-pace bowler who has become Barisal Division's bowling mainstay since his debut in 2008. The 2010-11 NCL season was his breakthrough, as he picked up 19 wickets at 23.78 but thereafter he hardly featured among the top pace bowlers.

He played in the 2010 U-19 World Cup after a good 2009 lead-up campaign, then returned to the first-class grind, and had some moments of success in the NCL and later in the Dhaka Premier League.

Born and brought up in Barisal, Rabbi wanted to be a forest officer growing up. It made sense as the Sundarban mangrove forest was nearby. He was spotted by former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud, who drafted him for Old DOHS Sports Club in the 2007-08 Dhaka Premier League. Rabbi had to be given proper bowling boots because he hadn't prepared to play in the top domestic competition.

When he made his Test debut against England in 2016, Rabbi had already played 47 first-class matches, mostly for Barisal.
Mohammad Isam