Robiul Islam

Not to be confused with Robiul Islam Robi.

Robiul Islam (Bengali: রবিউল ইসলাম; born: 20 October 1986) is an international cricketer from Bangladesh. A right-handed batsman and bowler, he is sometimes referred to on scoresheets by his nickname Shiblu. He made his international debut for Bangladesh in May 2010.

Robiul Islam

Personal information
Full name	SK Robiul Islam
Born	(1986-10-20) 20 October 1986 (age 39) Satkhira, Bangladesh
Nickname	Shiblu
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm fast-medium
Role	Bowler
International information
National side	Bangladesh (2010–2014)
Test debut (cap 59)	27 May 2010 v England
Last Test	13 September 2014 v West Indies
ODI debut (cap 107)	3 May 2013 v Zimbabwe
Last ODI	8 May 2013 v Zimbabwe
Only T20I (cap 38)	12 May 2013 v Zimbabwe
Domestic team information
Years	Team
2005/06–2010/11	Khulna Division
2011/12–present	Sylhet Division
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA Matches 8 3 61 33 Runs scored 99 0 519 139 Batting average 11.00 – 8.94 8.17 100s/50s 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 Top score 33 0* 39* 34* Balls bowled 1,632 133 9,903 1,430 Wickets 23 2 199 36 Bowling average 38.56 58.50 29.17 35.33 5 wickets in innings 2 0 9 0 10 wickets in match 0 0 1 0 Best bowling 6/71 1/21 6/71 4/7 Catches/stumpings 5/– 0/– 26/– 5/–
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 30 January 2014

International career

He made his first Test appearance in May 2010 during Bangladesh's tour of England.^[1] Robiul Islam was not able to take a wicket in the match, which was won by England. He was not selected for the next Test of the series.

Against Zimbabwe

In July 2011, Robiul was included in the squad for Bangladesh's one-off Test against Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe were returning from a six-year exile from Tests, although Bangladesh had not played in the format in over 14 months. Though they were expected to win,^[2] Bangladesh lost the Test. Robiul Islam opened the bowling with Shafiul Islam, claiming three wickets in the match while conceding 154 runs. His first wicket was that of batsman Hamilton Masakadza, caught by Imrul Kayes.^[3]

The West Indies toured in October and Robiul Islam was dropped from the squad for the two Tests as the coach Stuart Law expected to play just two seam bowlers and already had three options: Nazmul Hossain, Rubel Hossain, and Shahadat Hossain.^[4]

Success in Test

Robiul Islam remained around the fringes of the Test team, but it was not until March 2013 during Bangladesh's tour to Sri Lanka that he returned to the Test side, when his 29 wickets from 7 FC matches in Bangladesh's domestic tournament caught the attention of the selectors. In the second match of the series, Robiul Islam played his first Test in 16 months.^[5]

The following month, Bangladesh toured Zimbabwe for two Tests. Robiul Islam was included in the squad and finished with 15 wickets, costing 19.53 runs each. This was the most wickets taken by a Bangladesh seam bowler in a Test series, bettering the 12 Shahadat Hossain managed against South Africa in 2008. Including spin bowlers, only Mohammad Rafique and Enamul Haque Jr have bettered Robiul Islam's tally of 15 wickets in a series, and Rafique took three matches to beat that figure.^[6]