Aminul Islam Bulbul’s appointment as the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) marks a significant turn in Bangladesh’s cricket administration, with many welcoming the return of a cricketer who has served the game at nearly every level– as player, captain, coach, and international development official.
One of Bangladesh’s most respected cricketing figures, Bulbul’s name is forever etched in history as the man who scored Bangladesh’s first Test century.
It was November 2000 when Bangladesh debuted in Test cricket against India. In that match, Aminul played a heroic innings of 145 runs, an achievement that not only showcased his personal grit but also symbolised Bangladesh’s arrival on the world stage.
Over a career that began in the 1980s, he represented Bangladesh in 13 Tests and 39 ODIs, including captaining the side during the 1999 World Cup. He also played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s 1997 ICC Trophy win– a breakthrough moment that led to the country’s elevation to world cricket.
After his retirement from international cricket in 2002, Aminul turned to coaching and development. He obtained advanced coaching certifications from Cricket Australia and helped guide domestic teams like Abahani Limited to league success.
But his most profound contributions came through development roles.
As a senior development officer for the Asian Cricket Council and later as the ICC’s Development Manager for Asia, Bulbul conducted over 80 coaching programmes in emerging cricket nations including China, Iran, Malaysia, and Afghanistan.
His work helped lay the foundation for cricket in places where the sport was barely known.
Bulbul’s appointment as BCB president comes amidst a transitional period for the board.
He was nominated by the National Sports Council and elected by BCB directors, largely due to his clean image, global experience, and nonpartisan stance.
Although he remains officially employed by the ICC, he has received temporary permission to take on the BCB role.
According to Bulbul, his primary responsibility is to oversee a fair and transparent election in October 2025. He has made it clear that he has no long-term political ambition within the board and views this assignment as a service to the country.
In his own words, “When a country needs a soldier, that soldier doesn’t look at pay or promotion. He steps up because the country needs him.”
Aminul Islam Bulbul’s legacy is built not just on records but on vision.
As the soft-spoken former cricketer takes charge of the BCB, many see a rare opportunity for institutional reform led by someone who understands both the game and its global ecosystem.