5 Cricketers in Pakistan Squad for the Under-19 World Cup discovered by
Mobilink Hunt for Heroes

Islamabad: 14th January, 2010 – Mobilink, Pakistan’s market leader in cellular services and part of Orascom Telecom Holdings wishes all the best to the Pakistan Under-19 squad for the upcoming ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. Mobilink feels greatly honored to have discovered and groomed 5 young talents in the 15-member squad through the Mobilink Hunt for Heroes (MHFH) nationwide program launched in 2008-9.

The 5 players yielded by the MHFH program are Ahsan Ali, Babar Azam, Mohammad Naeem, Kaleem Sana and Usman Qadir. These promising cricketers have consistently performed well in domestic tournaments. At the tender age of 15 yrs and 61 days, Babar Azam, a right handed batsman and off-break bowler, is the youngest member of Pakistan’s Under-19 squad.

Bilal Munir Sheikh, Vice President Marketing, Mobilink said, “We are delighted to see that 5 members of the Under-19 squad were discovered by Mobilink under the MHFH program. The aim of Mobilink Hunt for Heroes (MHFH) is to materialize the dreams of young talented boys of becoming world class young cricketers. We at Mobilink wish the entire Under-19 team all the best and good luck for a glorious victory.”

With the patronage of PCB, the program commissioned prominent coaches and former Test cricketers to train youngsters short-listed from the nearest and farthest corners of the country. As the organizer of MHFH, Mobilink has pledged to facilitate the development of these competent youngsters and extends best wishes for their success in New Zealand and in the international cricketing arena.

During the course of MHFH, several cricketing experts train, guide and nominate extraordinary players from small towns, villages and cities, in addition to the metropolitan suburban areas. Qualified cricket coaches are then engaged to refine and enrich this young talent. The most competent youngsters are provided with opportunities to play national level tournaments to sharpen their skills, instill discipline, build physical fitness and enhance team spirit.

Wasim Akram, legendary fast bowler and former captain, who is also one of the prominent coaches at the MHFH, opined, “The Mobilink Hunt for Heroes is an amazing platform provided by Mobilink to promote cricket in Pakistan and it will go a long way in ensuring that cricketers from every corner of the country get a fair chance to prove their mettle and represent Pakistan in the cricket arena. I congratulate, both Mobilink and the 5 young lads, to have achieved this significant milestone.”