Hossain made his One Day International (ODI) debut against the West Indies on 18 May 2004, scoring 17 runs at number five. He played three more ODIs, the last on 29 July 2004 against Pakistan, and the 17 he made in his first match remained his highest score. He also made his Test debut on 28 May 2004 against the West Indies, batting at number six and making scores of 5 and 2 in a drawn match. Although he was drafted in as cover for the injured captain, Habibul Bashar, in the ICC Champions Trophy in August 2004, Hossain did not play another international match.

Hossain's bowling action came under scrutiny in 2007 and was under suspicion of throwing. He was allowed to bowl in competitive cricket under supervision, bus faces a life ban if his action is reported again. He has not bowled since the 2007/08 season.^[6] In the 2008 English cricket season, Hossain represented Chislehurst and West Kent Cricket Club in the Kent Cricket League in England.^[7]

In December 2008, Hossain was recalled to the Bangladesh squad to face Sri Lanka at home four years after playing his last Test. At the time of his selection, Hossain was a prolific run-scorer in Bangladesh's 2008/09 first-class competition. He scored 983 runs at an average of 70.56.^[8] Playing for the Chittagong Division, he scored bulk of runs for his side which also contains experienced national team players like Aftab Ahmed, Nafees Iqbal, Tamim Iqbal, Talha Jubair and Nazimuddin. After another successful season in 2009–10 where he was the 2nd highest run scorer in the domestic league in four-day matches, he got into the one-day side again for Bangladesh's tour to England. He went on to play 2 one-day matches and scored his highest score (26*) in ODI cricket. He was involved in an incident when he was bowling in the 1st ODI. A crafty left-arm spinner, he was bowling to Ian Bell and beat him with his flight. Wicketkeeper and then vice-captain of Bangladesh Mushfiqur Rahim also missed the flight of the ball and the ball went through his helmet grills and stuck him in the nose. Rahim missed the remainder of the series due to the injury. However, he was dropped for the 2nd one-day which Bangladesh won, beating England by 5 runs. Bangladesh went on to lose the series 2–1. His next assignment was against Ireland where he came to bat at No.8 and scored an unbeaten 8*. Bangladesh, down 1–0 against Ireland, came back well and drew the series 1–1. After the England tour, Hossain was dropped from the Bangladesh setup. He went back to domestic cricket and kept on scoring runs. In the 2010–11, he was one of the most consistent performers in the league and earned a place in the Bangladesh A side which will tour South Africa in January 2012.