A left-arm swing bowler, Syed Rasel shot through the ranks of Bangladesh’s Under-19 and A sides before his devastating spell of seven for 50 in a first-class game against Kent brought him into national reckoning.

Only 21, the youngster was drafted into the ODI side for the 2005 series against Sri Lanka and on debut scalped two wickets. On the same tour, he made his Test debut and only in his second Test, got away with 4 key wickets in the first innings. A freak motorbike accident scuppered his progress, but he still managed to recover in time for the 2006 Champions Trophy. Despite not featuring in four of the five ODIs at home against Zimbabwe, he made it to the squad for the 2007 World Cup.

A medium pace bowler with the ability to swing the ball, Rasel has been a steady performer for the Asians. However, injury problems have meant that he continues to remain in and out the side. At one time, mediocrity in the bowling meant that Rasel was one of the premier pacers in the Bangladesh. But now with young, talented youngsters pushing for places, the onus is on Rasel to perform consistently and stay fighting fit in order to consistently feature in the starting eleven.