Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 4: A Kashmir-based bat manufacturing company, GR8 Sports India Private Limited, announced today the debut of their Kashmir willow bat in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup.
Fawzul Kabir, one of the company’s founders, stated that during a match between West Indies women and South Africa women, West Indies opener Qiana Joseph took the field, wielding a bat crafted from Kashmir willow by GR8 Sports. This marked another significant milestone for both the company and the region.
“This occasion saw the Kashmir willow bat shining on the international stage, showcasing its craftsmanship, quality, and power. Aaliyah Alleyne, Zaida James, and Shamilia Connell, all part of the West Indies women’s team, also used GR8 cricket bats and equipment and will be seen in action throughout the tournament,” he said.
Expressing happiness over the development, Kabir added, “This is a historic day for GR8 Sports and Kashmir Willow bats. Our brand has worked tirelessly to promote this unique wood, which embodies the essence and craftsmanship of Kashmir. Seeing our product perform on such a prestigious international platform is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in our production process.”
Kabir further explained that GR8’s cricket bats for women cricketers underwent a series of tests, incorporating innovative techniques and methodological procedures over the past four years. AI-based innovative machinery played a crucial role in refining the process.
He also highlighted that this milestone follows GR8 Sports’ impressive performance in the ICC T20 Cricket World Cups of 2021, 2022, and 2024, as well as the ODI World Cup of 2023. During the 2022 T20 World Cup, a GR8 bat delivered the longest six of the tournament, further showcasing the exceptional quality and performance of their products.