Bangladesh cricketer Rubel Hossain out of bail

Dhaka: Bangladesh cricketer Rubel Hossain on Sunday walked out of jail here after being granted bail in an alleged rape case filed by a 19-year-old model-actress, clearing the way for the fast bowler to play in the World Cup next month.

The 24-year-old was freed from Dhaka Central Jail around 4:45pm (local time), Farman Ali, senior jail superintendent of the Dhaka jail said.

Earlier, a Metropolitan sessions court judge Imrul Kayes heard the matter and granted him bail after his previous petition was rejected by the court in a case filed by the actress.

The actress had filed a case against Rubel under the Women Repression Act on December 13 alleging that the pace bowler had engaged her in physical relationship with promises of marriage.

Rubel has alleged that she has been "blackmailing" him. She underwent a medical test that suggested Rubel did not force her to sleep with him.

He appeared in a high court December 15 and filed an appeal, asking for anticipatory bail. The court granted a four-week bail. On January 8, the cricketer surrendered to the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate's Court and sought bail again. The court turned down his plea and sent him to jail. This happened three days before the expiry of his anticipatory bail.

The court ordered a DNA test of Rubel on December 31, 2014. The actress, a BBA student who has acted in a Bengali film, claimed the two got in touch first on Facebook and Rubel refused to marry her after nine months' intimate relationship.

She alleged that Rubel got involved with another girl while their marriage was being negotiated. She also filed a petition in court, seeking Rubel's expulsion from the Bangladesh team.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15 member team including Rubel for the next ICC World Cup scheduled to begin in Australia and New Zealand from February 14.