By: Aabid Hameed
Srinagar: The demand for Kashmiri bats have increased in the global markets after two international cricket players from Oman used these bats in the T20 World Cup 2021.
Bat manufacturers said that the players from Oman have changed the fate of this industry as since the establishment of this industry way back before seven decades, its manufactured bat was used for the first time at international stage after which the unit holders have started receiving orders from different countries.
Fawzul Kabir, a 29-year-old MBA pass out and owner of GR8 Sports whose bat was used by Oman players said that there are over 400 units in Halmulla-Sethar hamlet in Anantnag district and since last seven decades millions of bats were manufactured here but despite hectic efforts were not able to take them international stage.
He said that after Kashmiri product was used by the players from Oman, they have started receiving orders from famous cricket playing nations like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and many others.
We have already sent consignment to around 12 countries and many orders are also in queue, he said, adding that this is new beginning for them and they are hopeful that very soon, the famous international players will play with Kashmiri bats.
He said that since 2012-2020, they have been visiting different countries and inviting players there to play with Kashmiri bats but every time they were rejecting them but in year 2021, their efforts brought fruits when players from Oman accepted to play with the bats, which they did and it gave recognition to their bats.
He added that now they are receiving orders from the persons or countries, who earlier had rejected them. “We are hopeful that Kashmiri bats will emerge as an alternative to English willow bats as we are the only ones who can produce these bats at such a rate which is much less than what English willow costs,” he said.
