Dhaka: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will launch a nationwide fast-bowling talent search program tomorrow to unleash the country's next generation of pacers. The BCB and Robi Axiata PLC will jointly host the talent hunt titled 'Robi Bowler Hunt'. The program will be officially inaugurated at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday, said the BCB today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BCB President Tamim Iqbal and Robi Axiata PLC Chief Executive Officer Ziad Shatara are expected to attend the launching ceremony, along with officials from both organizations. The latest initiative follows the success of the 2007 nationwide pacer scouting program jointly arranged by the BCB and Grameenphone. One of the biggest discoveries from that campaign was Rubel Hossain of Bagerhat, who emerged from tape-tennis ball cricket and went on to represent Bangladesh on the global stage.
Once considered as the weakest link of the team, Bangladesh's pace bowling department has made significant progress in recent years. The latest example was their exploit in Australian conditions as they helped the side to achieve a landmark Test victory in Darwin. Pacer Hasan Mahmud was adjudged man of the match for his match haul of nine wickets, including a groundbreaking 6-55 in the first innings. Bangladesh lost the second Test in Mackay to squander a golden opportunity of winning the series, but Shoriful Islam tore through Australian batters with a historical seven-wicket haul.
The national team's current pace options, including Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and others have been demonstrating their ability on the international stage quite regularly. The BCB said maintaining this progress requires a continuous search for fresh talent. Through the Robi Bowler Hunt, promising young bowlers from different parts of the country will get the opportunity to showcase their skills and receive guidance and support for their development. The organizers expressed hope that the program will uncover talented pacers capable of following the path of previous discoveries and contributing to Bangladesh cricket in the future.