Former Bangladesh cricketer Mosharraf Hossain dies of cancer

Dhaka: Bangladesh’s former cricketer Mosharraf Hossain Rubel passed away after battling with brain cancer for long. He was 40. 

Rubel breathed his last at the United Hospital in the capital on Tuesday.

The national team’s former off-spinner has played five One-Day Internationals (ODI) for Bangladesh and has 26 wickets to his name. 

Rubel was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2019 and moved to Singapore where he took chemotherapy in stages. 

Mosharraf Hossain underwent surgery at Mount Elizabeth Hospital and then he returned to the country. 

However, for chemo and radiotherapy, he had to visit in Singapore regularly. The last chemo was given in December of that year. He was in follow-up for one year. 

Moreover, Rubel was preparing to return to the field in 2020. But fell ill again in November. After an MRI in the last week of January 2021, it was found that the old tumor was growing again. 

From then on, chemotherapy started again. So far, the Bangladesh legend received 24 chemotherapy treatments. He was undergoing treatment in the ICU of a hospital in the capital for the last few days and died while undergoing treatment.

Samiur Rahman, another former cricketer, has died on Tuesday aged 68 in Dhaka. He was suffering from pneumonia complications following a stroke which happened earlier this year, according to his relatives. 

Samiur was part of Bangladesh's first two ODIs in 1986, in addition to featuring in the ICC Trophy in 1982 and 1986.

After his playing career, Samiur served as an umpire and match referee. He is survived by his wife and two sons. His brother Yousuf Rahman, who is currently in the US, is also a former national cricketer.