The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was plunged into mourning on Saturday when Mahbub Ali Zaki, a cornerstone of the nation’s cricketing development, passed away following a sudden heart attack. The tragic incident occurred at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium just moments before the Dhaka Capitals were set to face the Rajshahi Warriors.
Mahbub Ali Zaki, 59, who was serving as the assistant coach for the Capitals, collapsed during his team’s pre-match warm-up routines.
Despite being rushed immediately to a nearby hospital, authorities pronounced him dead shortly after arrival. The news sent shockwaves through the stadium, yet the match proceeded as scheduled, beginning with a poignant minute of silence observed by players, coaches, and match officials to honor his memory.
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For 17 years, Mahbub Ali Zaki was a vital figure within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Joining as a High Performance coach in 2008, he became the “Architect of Pace” in the game development department. He was perhaps most famous for his instrumental work with Taskin Ahmed in 2016, helping the star pacer remodel his action after it was reported as illegal.
The BCB paid tribute to his dedication on social media, stating:
“Mahbub Ali Zaki dedicated himself to coaching and player development… making a significant contribution to the growth of pace bowling in the country.”
An affable and respectedcharacter, Zaki’s ambitions extended beyond the national team. He frequently liaised with overseas experts and harbored a dream of establishing a specialized fast-bowling academy in Bangladesh, modeled after India’s renowned MRF Pace Foundation.
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Before his coaching career, Zaki was a formidable fast bowler himself, representing Comilla District and the prestigious Abahani Limited. His passing leaves a massive void in Bangladesh cricket, but his influence lives on through the many fast bowlers he mentored.