Bangladesh cricket mourns Zaki

Bangladesh's cricket fraternity is mourning the sudden demise of Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki and are sending in their condolences for the revered local coach.

Zaki, 59, collapsed on the field during Dhaka's warm-up session before their match against Rajshahi Warriors in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in Sylhet today. He received immediate CPR and was taken to a local hospital by ambulance, where the physicians declared him dead.

Zaki, who was a pacer in his playing days, has worked with many fast bowlers who have gone onto serve the national team. His pupils pacers Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam took to social media to express their grievances.

"Inna Lillahi Wa innah Ilayhi raji'un. Our Assistant coach of Dhaka Capitals Mahbub Ali Zaki passed away today after suddenly suffering a heart attack. He was warming up with the players just before the match. Rest in Peace, Coach. Deepest condolences to his family and the entire Dhaka Capitals family," wrote Taskin on his Facebook page.

Read more

Dhaka assistant coach Zaki no more after collapsing at practice

Shoriful, a member of the World Cup winning Under-19 team in 2020 of which Zaki was part of the coaching panel, was shocked and heartbroken after losing 'a guardian'.

"Inna Lillahi Wa innah Ilayhi raji'un. I still can't believe the news -- you are no longer with us, Mahbub Ali Zaki sir. From our Under-19 days, it was under your guidance that we began learning, and later through the World Cup victory -- you were there at every moment, like a guardian. Even the day before yesterday, during practice, we shared so much laughter and chatter; just thinking about it makes my heart heavy.

"May Allah grant you the highest place in Jannatul Firdaus and give patience and strength to your grieving family in this difficult time. Ameen," Shoriful wrote on Facebook.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expressed its deep bereavement at Zaki's passing in a media release.

"The BCB extends its heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends and the cricketing community during this difficult time and prays for the eternal peace of the departed soul," it read.

Dhaka Capitals extended condolences to his grieving family.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the beloved assistant coach of the Dhaka Capitals family has left us after suffering a heart attack. We are deeply mournful over this irreplaceable loss. We pray for the forgiveness of his soul and extend our heartfelt condolences to his grieving family," it posted on Facebook.

Zaki was working as a specialist pace bowling coach under BCB. He first joined the BCB in 2008 as a High Performance coach, was involved with many age-level teams, BCB developmental teams and BPL franchises.

During his playing days, he represented Comilla district in the National Cricket Championship and also featured in the Dhaka Premier League for the clubs like Abahani and Dhanmondi.