Lahore Qalandars Appoint Aminul Islam Bulbul as Advisor for High-Performance Centres

Lahore Qalandars have appointed Aminul Islam Bulbul, a former Bangladesh captain and ex-president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), as an advisor to the franchise's High-Performance Centres. The three-time Pakistan Super League champions confirmed the move through an official press release, describing it as a step to strengthen their player development pipeline.

In the advisory role, Bulbul will support the design and growth of the Qalandars' High-Performance Centres, with a focus on player development, coaching methods and creating clearer pathways for young cricketers to build professional careers. The franchise said his appointment reflects its continued investment in grassroots cricket, outreach and long-term talent discovery.

Bulbul brings wide administrative experience to the role. He served as the International Cricket Council's Cricket Development Manager for Asia from 2015 to 2025 and previously worked as a Cricket Development Officer at the Asian Cricket Council. He also held the BCB presidency from May 30, 2025, to April 7, 2026, giving him insight into both governance and development at regional and international levels.

His playing record is equally notable. Bulbul represented Bangladesh from 1988 to 2002 and captained the national side at the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup. He also scored Bangladesh's first Test century, reaching the landmark against India in 2000 during the country's inaugural Test match.

Lahore Qalandars have followed a remarkable trajectory since joining the PSL in 2016 as one of the league's five original franchises. The team struggled in its early seasons, missing the playoffs for four consecutive years, before reaching its first final in 2020 under Sohail Akhtar, where it lost to Karachi Kings.

The franchise's fortunes changed after Shaheen Shah Afridi was named captain ahead of PSL 2022. Lahore claimed its first title that year with a 42-run win over Multan Sultans and defended the crown in 2023 with a one-run victory over the same opponents, becoming the first team to win back-to-back PSL championships. The side then endured a difficult 2024 campaign, managing only one win in the tournament.

The appointment places Bulbul at the centre of Lahore's efforts to convert its development programmes into a steady supply of competitive talent. His experience across Bangladesh and Asia is expected to help the franchise refine coaching systems and expand opportunities for emerging players.

Lahore Qalandars' focus on high-performance development reflects a broader trend among PSL franchises, which are increasingly building structured academies and pathway programmes alongside their senior squads. The move signals the franchise's intent to pair on-field success with a sustainable talent pipeline for Pakistani cricket.