Bulbul explains why Bangladesh's national team struggles despite U-19 level success 

Bangladesh's age-group cricket teams have consistently shown great potential in international tournaments. Although the nation has faced setbacks in the past, the youth teams have started to achieve success in recent years.

In 2020, Bangladesh won its first-ever Under-19 World Cup. Two years later, they clinched the Under-19 Asia Cup title. This year, as defending champions, Bangladesh's youth team once again triumphed, winning the Asia Cup and proving themselves as the best in the region.

Many of these young players, after performing well at the age-group level, have moved on to join the national team. However, the transition to the senior team has not been smooth for everyone. Some players have failed to establish themselves, while others have taken time to secure a regular spot. Despite these individual achievements, the national team has yet to win any major titles, such as the Asia Cup, World Cup, or any ICC event. 

While the young team continues to shine, the senior team has struggled to replicate their success on the big stage. This disparity has raised the question: Why can the youth teams win, but the national team still falls short? Former national captain Aminul Islam Bulbul, who now serves as the ICC's Development Manager, delved into this issue and identified key reasons for the gap.

In a post on his personal Facebook account, Bulbul congratulated the Bangladesh Under-19 team on their recent Asia Cup victory, noting that they defeated full-member teams from the group stages to the final, securing a significant achievement. He also reminded followers of the Under-19 World Cup win in 2020, emphasising that Bangladesh's youth teams are among the best in age-group cricket globally.

However, he pointed out the contrasting reality for the senior team. Despite the success at the youth level, the national team has yet to win a major title or even reach the finals of an ICC event. In all formats, the team's rankings are below average. Bulbul asked why such a gap exists between the two groups, and emphasized that closing this gap requires a well-structured high-performance (HP) process that includes proper investment and expertise. He noted that while advanced cricket nations have been investing in the right knowledge and systems, Bangladesh has fallen short in these areas.

Bulbul proposed several solutions for improving the senior team's performance, including:

1. Development of support staff, coach training, and setting clear strategic goals.
2. Strengthening the talent development process.
3. Utilizing sports science and medicine more effectively.
4. Investing in world-class infrastructure and competitive domestic cricket.
5. Creating a more integrated approach to cricket management.

He also warned that talented players should not be wasted, stating that proper planning and sincere effort are necessary for success. He acknowledged that financial resources are not the issue; rather, the lack of proper planning and honesty in execution is the real challenge.

Lastly, Bulbul addressed the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) financial situation, suggesting that the board's significant bank reserves should be used more effectively to invest in these areas. If changes are not made soon, he warned that Bangladesh might lose the momentum from their youth success, and future generations will only be able to boast about the money sitting in the bank, rather than tangible achievements on the field.