Bangladesh Cricket Mourns Sudden Passing of Pace Coach Mahbub Ali Zaki

Sylhet: Bangladesh cricket was struck by tragedy on Saturday as Mahbub Ali Zaki, the veteran fast-bowling coach, passed away suddenly after suffering a heart attack ahead of the team’s BPL 12 clash against Rajshahi Warriors at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Zaki, 59, collapsed during pre-match preparations and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Despite the shock, the Dhaka Capitals and Rajshahi Warriors proceeded with the match and observed a minute’s silence in memory of Zaki. All players, coaching staff, and match officials paid their respects in a solemn tribute to the coach.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), where Zaki had been employed for 17 years, issued a statement honoring his contribution: “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.”

Zaki’s legacy lies in his work as a specialist pace-bowling coach in the BCB’s Game Development Department. He came into prominence in 2016 while assisting Taskin Ahmed to remodel his bowling action after it was reported for illegality. Over the years, he worked closely with Bangladesh’s leading fast bowlers, while also liaising with overseas coaches to enhance the team’s bowling standards.

Zaki had long envisioned opening a fast-bowling academy in Bangladesh, modeled after India’s famed MRF Pace Foundation.

A former fast bowler himself, Zaki played for Comilla District in the National Cricket Championship and represented Abahani Limited, one of Bangladesh’s most decorated clubs in the Dhaka Premier League.