The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was struck by tragedy on Saturday when Mahbub Ali Zaki, the respected assistant coach of the Dhaka Capitals, passed away after collapsing just moments before his team's scheduled fixture. The incident occurred at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, casting a profound shadow over the day's sporting events. Zaki was 59 years old.
A Sudden Collapse and Medical Emergency
The unfortunate episode unfolded during the team's warm-up session ahead of their match against the Rajshahi Warriors. Zaki suddenly fell ill, prompting immediate intervention from the Dhaka Capitals support staff. They administered crucial Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on the spot in a desperate attempt to revive him. Following the initial emergency care, he was swiftly transported by ambulance to the nearby Al Haramain Hospital for advanced medical treatment.
Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, doctors at the hospital later confirmed his death. Dr. Debashish Chowdhury, the chief physician of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), verified the distressing incident. In a statement, team officials revealed that Zaki had not reported or complained of any health issues prior to the collapse, making the event all the more shocking for his colleagues and the wider cricket fraternity.
Cricket Community United in Grief
The tragic news quickly spread through the stadium, deeply affecting players and officials present. The somber mood led to players from other teams participating in the BPL, including the Sylhet Titans, Noakhali Express, and Chattogram Royals, rushing to the hospital upon hearing the news. As a mark of respect and collective mourning, both competing teams, Dhaka Capitals and Rajshahi Warriors, observed a poignant minute's silence during the innings break of their match.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Dhaka Capitals franchise were quick to express their sorrow. The BCB, in a post on social media platform X, hailed Zaki's lasting impact on fast bowling development within the country. The Dhaka Capitals organization issued a statement expressing profound grief and extended their deepest condolences to Zaki's bereaved family, friends, and well-wishers.
From Pace Bowler to Esteemed Coach
Mahbub Ali Zaki's life was deeply intertwined with Bangladeshi cricket. A former fast bowler himself, he represented Comilla District in the National Cricket Championship during his playing days. He also showcased his talent for prominent Dhaka-based clubs such as Abahani and Dhanmondi in the highly competitive Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League.
After hanging up his boots, Zaki seamlessly transitioned into coaching, dedicating his expertise to nurturing future talent. He joined the Bangladesh Cricket Board in 2008 as a High Performance coach. Over the years, he evolved into a respected and influential figure within the national pace-bowling setup. One of his notable contributions was assisting premier fast bowler Taskin Ahmed during the intense scrutiny and remedial work on the pacer's bowling action at the 2016 T20 World Cup in India. His sudden demise represents a significant loss for Bangladesh's cricketing infrastructure and the many players he mentored.
