Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul says his focus is clear: respect the past, build the future, and open the game to everyone.
At a recent press event at the Riya Gov Women’s Sports Complex in Dhaka, Bulbul touched on a wide range of issues—from honoring former national cricketers to creating better access to training for youth. His tone was practical and direct, with little room for political interpretation.
Honoring Test pioneers, regardless of past controversy
Bulbul confirmed that all members of Bangladesh’s first-ever Test squad have been invited to a gathering scheduled for Thursday. That includes former captain Naimur Rahman Durjoy and then-manager Faruque Ahmed, both of whom have faced criticism in recent years.
“I’ve invited everyone,” Bulbul said. “Players, coaches, and management from that squad. We all played our first Test at the tail end of our careers. Still, we felt lucky. It was historic.”
Asked whether personal or political differences influenced his decision, Bulbul was firm. “Cricket is only about cricket. Nothing else matters,” he said.
Photos of modern legends like Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza now surround stadium walls. Bulbul acknowledged the tensions surrounding them but maintained that performance and contribution remain the BCB’s top criteria.
Youth training expands beyond the field
Bulbul also used the event to launch new grassroots programs under the “Triple Century” initiative. The goal, he said, is long-term player development—with an emphasis on decision-making, discipline, and support from home.
“A batter has to make 100 good decisions to score a hundred,” he said. “Coaches can’t control all those decisions. Parents matter. Kids who sleep on time, do homework, avoid phones—they think better on the field.”
The Triple Century program links all BCB development efforts under one framework. This makes tracking progress easier and gives the board data to adjust plans every three to six months.
Synthetic turf fields coming nationwide
In another major move, the BCB is working with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and National Sports Council to open access to synthetic-turf grounds in multiple cities. These shared fields will be designed for both cricket and football.
Bulbul said the initiative targets underused government-owned grounds lacking facilities. “If they install synthetic pitches, kids will get bounce and pace. Girls and boys can play. Football can also be played. We’re focusing on shared access and usable spaces.”
The BCB will maintain existing Test venues but aims to make more grounds playable at the local level.
What happens when Bulbul’s term ends?
Bulbul, who is serving a five-month term as BCB president, said the board is designing programs that won’t rely on any one person.
“If you run everything under a structured program, it becomes trackable,” he said. “You can see what’s working, what needs improvement.”
While short presidential tenures have often led to unfinished initiatives in Bangladesh’s sports scene, Bulbul hopes this time will be different. Whether the next leadership continues the effort remains to be seen.
For now, his strategy is grounded in one idea: performance speaks. Not politics.
