KEY POINTS
- The match proceeded after a minute’s silence, with the Capitals winning against Rajshahi Warriors.
- Zaki’s funeral prayer was held at the Sylhet stadium, attended by the cricket community.
- He was a revered pace-bowling coach for the BCB for 17 years, instrumental in developing bowlers like Taskin Ahmed.
SYLHET: The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and the wider cricket community are in mourning following the sudden death of Dubai Capitals’ assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki on Saturday. The respected coach suffered a fatal heart attack just before his team’s match against the Rajshahi Warriors at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Tragedy Strikes During Pre-Match Preparations
The incident occurred during the Capitals’ pre-match routines at the stadium. Zaki suddenly collapsed on the field and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Match Proceeds with Heavy Hearts
In a somber display of professionalism, the match proceeded as scheduled after a moment of profound respect. Players from both teams, coaching staff, and match officials gathered for a minute’s silence to honor Zaki’s memory and his immense contribution to Bangladesh cricket. Playing through grief, the Dubai Capitals secured a five-wicket victory over the Warriors.
A Minute of Silence in Memory of Mahbub Ali Zaki 📷
Players, officials, and the entire cricketing fraternity observed a 1-minute silence to pay their respects to Mahbub Ali Zaki, honoring his life, legacy, and invaluable contribution to Bangladesh cricket pic.twitter.com/IqlTV8Azy2— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) December 27, 2025
Final Tribute at the Stadium
In a poignant and rare tribute, Zaki’s funeral prayer (Namaz-e-Janaza) was offered at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium itself following the conclusion of the match, attended by players, officials, and staff united in grief.
A Lasting Legacy in Bangladesh Cricket
Zaki was a revered figure in Bangladeshi cricket, best known for his pivotal role in developing the nation’s fast bowlers. He served the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for approximately 17 years as a specialist pace-bowling coach in its game development department. His most notable work was with national team spearhead Taskin Ahmed, whom he guided through a critical period after Taskin was reported for a suspect bowling action in 2016.
In an official statement, the BCB said, “Following his playing career, Mahbub Ali Zaki dedicated himself to coaching and player development. He joined the BCB in 2008 as a High Performance coach and went on to make a significant contribution to the growth of pace bowling in the country through his work.” His responsibilities also included liaising with overseas bowling coaches working with the national men’s team.
