Robi bowler hunt begins nationwide

Robi Bowler Hunt Returns With Wider Pathway for Emerging Cricketers

Thebangladaily.com – A nationwide search for Bangladesh’s next generation of bowlers is set to begin on September 27 as the Robi Bowler Hunt returns with an expanded programme that includes opportunities for female cricketers.

Organised jointly by Robi and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the initiative is designed to identify promising pace bowlers and spinners from across the country, then help develop the strongest prospects for higher-level cricket. This year’s edition aims to reach a broader range of young players than previous campaigns.

“Parbe Tumio” — “You Can Too”

The campaign’s message reflects its central purpose: talented bowlers do not need to come from a single established cricket centre to be noticed. By holding trials in multiple regions, the programme will give aspiring players a chance to demonstrate their ability in front of selectors without having to rely solely on local exposure or informal pathways.

Trials planned in eight locations

Selection activities will be staged at eight venues around Bangladesh, with two trial locations in Dhaka. Players from Sylhet, Khulna, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Chattogram will also be able to take part in regional sessions. Although Barishal is included in the nationwide programme, its trials will be conducted in Khulna.

The trials will be held on different dates under a fixed schedule. Bowlers will be assessed on site, with both male and female participants expected to be considered during the selection process. The multi-city format is intended to make the search more accessible to players from a variety of districts and cricketing backgrounds.

For young cricketers, bowling remains one of the most demanding disciplines to master. Fast bowlers require pace, rhythm, fitness and control, while spinners must combine accuracy, variation and tactical awareness. A structured talent hunt can offer players an early opportunity to have those skills evaluated by coaches who understand the requirements of elite cricket.

Experienced coaches and selectors involved

The judging group will include former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, former West Indies fast bowler Corey Collymore, and Mohammad Salahuddin, head coach of Bangladesh’s High-Performance squad. National-team coaches will also take part throughout the selection process.

The presence of specialists from both pace and spin bowling backgrounds is significant for an event that is not limited to one style of bowler. Mushtaq Ahmed brings experience as an international leg-spinner, while Corey Collymore’s career offers a fast-bowling perspective. Salahuddin’s involvement connects the programme to Bangladesh’s broader high-performance development structure.

Selectors will not simply be looking for raw speed or a single impressive delivery. The process is expected to focus on the qualities needed for continued improvement, including technique, control, potential and the capacity to benefit from advanced coaching. That approach matters because the event is intended to serve as an entry point into a longer development journey rather than a one-day contest alone.

A record of producing national-team bowlers

The Robi and BCB initiative has previously helped bring notable talents into Bangladesh cricket. Ebadot Hossain was discovered through the 2016 Robi Fast Bowler Hunt, which attracted nearly 40,000 young pace bowlers. During that competition, he recorded a top speed of 139.9 km/h and emerged as the fastest participant.

Ebadot later became an important member of Bangladesh’s national pace attack, illustrating how a talent-search programme can create an alternative route for a player with the physical attributes and commitment required for top-level cricket.

The spinner-focused edition in 2017 also produced a notable result. Rishad Hossain came through the Robi Spinner Hunt and went on to establish himself as a key leg-spinner for the Bangladesh national side. His rise, alongside Ebadot’s, has helped shape the renewed event’s emphasis on discovering bowlers with the potential to progress beyond regional competition.

Those examples provide an encouraging reference point for this year’s participants. They also underline the importance of looking beyond familiar names and established academies when building a national talent pipeline. Bangladesh cricket needs depth in both pace and spin, and identifying players early can allow coaches to support their growth over time.

Development continues after the trials

The programme will not stop once the initial selection rounds have ended. Bowlers chosen from the trials will receive modern training and continued development support. The long-term objective is to prepare promising players for future opportunities within the national-team pathway.

For participants, selection could provide valuable exposure to professional coaching standards and a clearer understanding of the areas they need to improve. Even for those who do not advance, taking part in a formal assessment can be an important learning experience and a chance to measure their skills against other bowlers from around the country.

Interested players can complete their registration through the My Robi app. With trials scheduled across major regions and female cricketers included in the programme, the latest Robi Bowler Hunt is set to offer a wider platform for Bangladesh’s aspiring bowlers to step forward.