He was given CPR before an ambulance took him to the hospital
Preparations for the match were underway at the Sylhet International Stadium. Players from both teams were busy warming up, while members of the coaching staff assisted with last-minute arrangements. Suddenly, Mahbub Ali Zaki collapsed on the field. He never got back on his feet. Despite desperate efforts both at the ground and later at the hospital, the experienced coach passed away.
The seasoned BCB coach was working as an assistant coach for Dhaka Capitals in the BPL. He was 59 years old.
Dhaka Capitals were set to begin their BPL campaign against Rajshahi Warriors on Saturday, the second day of the tournament. Zaki was present on the field with the team ahead of the match. After feeling chest pain, he suddenly collapsed. Those nearby rushed to his aid, and a crowd quickly gathered around him. He was given CPR on the spot before being taken to the hospital by ambulance.
According to team sources, Zaki was still breathing while inside the ambulance. However, doctors were unable to save him after he was admitted to the hospital.
At 2:00 PM, Dhaka Capitals shared a statement on social media, saying, “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved assistant coach of the Dhaka Capitals family due to a cardiac arrest. We are deeply saddened by this irreparable loss. We pray for the forgiveness of his soul and extend our heartfelt condolences to his grieving family.”
Dhaka Capitals’ head coach is Toby Radford. Before his arrival, Zaki had been overseeing the team’s preparations and later continued his role as an assistant coach.
A familiar figure in Bangladesh cricket, Zaki was especially well known as a pace bowling coach. He worked closely with many fast bowlers across the country, including helping correct Taskin Ahmed’s bowling action. He was also part of the support staff of Bangladesh’s 2020 Under-19 World Cup-winning team.
In his playing days, Zaki was a fast bowler. Although he did not represent the national team, he played in the National Championship for Comilla district and featured in the Dhaka Premier League for clubs such as Abahani and Dhanmondi. After retiring from playing, he moved into coaching, beginning his journey with the BCB in 2008 as a High Performance coach. Over time, he established himself as one of the country’s leading pace bowling coaches.
He was a regular presence at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur—on the academy ground, indoors, or in the nets—working tirelessly with fast bowlers at all levels. A man of the field, he took his final bow on the field itself.
