Cell phone operator Robi had taken up an initiative to find out the best fast bowling talents from all over the country in partnership with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) named as the “Robi Fast Bowler Hunt” initiative, it was powered by Robi’s Super-Fast Internet.
This initiative came to an end today with the declaration of the 10 best fast bowling talents. The closing ceremony was held today at the National Cricket Academy at Mirpur, said a press release here today.
Being the most comprehensive fast bowling talent hunt initiative, Robi Fast Bowler Hunt also hunted down the best female fast bowler of the country along with the best two physically challenged fast bowlers.
Besides, among the best 10 male fast bowlers, three were specially recognized under three categories, namely the Speed Star for clocking the fastest delivery, the Most Consistent fast bowler for the maintaining the line and length consistently while bowling fast and the Best Variation fast bowler for having the skill to bowl with the most deceptive variation.
Rather than being only a one off talent hunt programme, Robi has come
forward with an attractive stipend package for each of the Ten (10) Male, one (1) female and two (2) physically challenged fast bowlers. It is expected that the generous stipend will encourage them to pursue their quest to become the next fast bowling sensation from the country.
Mahbubul Anam, vice president of BCB & chairman of High Performance, said:
“Talent hunt initiatives are the lifeline for the development of cricket. Hence, we are very excited to have hunted down the best fast bowling talents of the country through the Fast Bowler Hunt initiative. I would like to thank the High Performance team of BCB as well as Robi for undertaking such an important initiative. We are very confident that we have identified the pool of fast bowlers who will be the next Mustafizes, Taskins and the Al Amins of the country.”
BCB’s CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, Director Media and Communication Jalal Yunus and ace fast bowler Rubel Hossain were present on the occasion.
Robi’s Chief Operating Officer Mahtab Uddin Ahmed took to the stage with a sense of accomplishment as he congratulated each and every member of the Fast Bowler Hunt initiative from both BCB and Robi. He said, “With BCB, we have been on the prowl to hunt down the fast bowling talents of the country and we were truly humbled by the sheer talent that was on display wherever we went. The judges had a real tough time to narrow down the list of fast bowlers but they did it in the most judicious manner.”
“I would like to congratulate the fast bowlers who made it to the top of the chart today. For the ones who couldn’t, I would urge you to keep faith in your ability and persist with this great game. The fascinating talents who came out of this initiative only motivate us to continue to work towards the development of cricket. We are grateful to BCB for their continued support and encouragement,” Mahtab Uddin added.
More than 30,000 fast bowlers had registered to take part in this two-month long talent hunt programme through SMS, online as well as from the various activation events that took place at different parts of the country.
A total of 14,611 fast bowlers had qualified to take part in the contest.
At the preliminary stage more than 100 were shortlisted.
