Hussain began his cricket career at St. Paul's High School, Karachi, participating in the Rubie Shield inter-school tournament in 1957-58.[1] He later attended S.M. College and played for local clubs, including Pak Crescent and Clifton Gymkhana, registered with the Karachi Cricket Association (KCA) in 1960.[1]
In his debut domestic season of 1961–62, Hussain took 22 wickets at an average of 18.31, including 6-25 against Lahore 'B', contributing to Karachi Blues' victory in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.[1] He played for Karachi A and Karachi Whites in subsequent seasons.[1]
A slow left-arm orthodox spinner, he was the most successful bowler in the 1964–65 Pakistan season with 59 wickets at an average of 14.61.[2] His best performance that season was for Public Works Department against Railways, when he took 7 for 65 and 3 for 104.[3] Despite notable domestic performances, Hussain was not selected for Pakistan's inaugural tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1964–65.[1]
In 1966–67 he took 6 for 35 and 2 for 56 for South Zone against the MCC Under-25 team. He later played in one of the three matches the Pakistan Under-25 team played against MCC Under-25, but took only one wicket.[4] In 1970–71 he took his best innings and match figures: 8 for 163 and 4 for 82 (match figures of 70–10–245–12) for Pakistan International Airlines B against his former team Karachi Blues.[5]
In 1973–74 he was the only Pakistani selected to play for a Rest of the World XI against Pakistan. He was the Rest of the World XI's most successful bowler, with five wickets.[6] Two weeks later, captaining Pakistan International Airlines B, he took 4 for 42 and 6 for 63 in an innings victory over Quetta.[7]
He joined Pakistan International Airlines in 1968 as a junior traffic assistant and worked with the company until he retired in January 1998.[1] He served as a liaison officer during the 1996 Wills World Cup and as a match referee for the Pakistan Cricket Board from 2001 to 2004.[1]