Srinagar, Oct 14: The demand for Kashmiri bats has increased manifold in international markets after two international cricket players from Oman embraced the majestic Kashmir willow in the T20 World Cup last year. Now, four players from UAE have got Kashmir willow bats for the T20 World Cup 2022 scheduled to be held in Australia from October 16.
While the English Willow is the preferred willow for bats used in international cricket, experts believe that with better seasoning and processing techniques, Kashmir Willow can match the characteristics of the English Willow.
News agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) quoted Kashmir willow bat manufacturers and willow traders as saying that embrace of Kashmir Willow in international cricket would herald a new era for Kashmir bats demand within the country and abroad.
Pertinently, there are around 400 bat manufacturing units in the Industrial area from Sangam to Awantipora in Kashmir and a brand of one unit has reached the international stage.
Fawzul Kabir, a 29 year old MBA pass out from Islamic University of Science and Technology Awantipora, who is pursuing PhD from a university in Canada, said that after hectic efforts, a few players of Oman agreed to play with their bats. The bats were manufactured at GR8 Sports Industry in Halmulla Sangam area of Anantnag.
Kabir, who is the owner of unit, said that his late father started the unit in 1974, and with adoption of new seasoning and processing technology they are able to produce more superior bats, and, as a result, the demand for Kashmiri bats has increased in international markets
“We have already sent consignment to around one dozen countries and many orders are also in queue,” he said, adding that this is a new beginning for us and we are hopeful very soon that famous international players will play with our bats.
“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 much less rate than what English willow costs,” he said.
“Now, we are preparing bats here only and now our own manufacturing has reached the international stage as four players from UAE will play with our bat besides other items,” he said. “Now our aim is that prolific players like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam and others should play with our Kashmir made bats.” —(With inputs KNO)
