A tragic incident cast a shadow over the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on its second day at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Just moments before the scheduled start of the match, Mahbub Ali Zaki, the assistant coach of Dhaka Capitals, collapsed on the field and ultimately passed away due to a sudden cardiac arrest.
The match between Dhaka Capitals and Rajshahi Warriors was due to start in approximately 20 minutes. Players were warming up near their respective dressing rooms when Zaki, who was supervising the session alongside other coaching staff, suddenly fell to the ground. Team officials immediately rushed to his aid.
Despite urgent attempts to revive him with CPR on the field and rapid transportation to Al Haramain Hospital in Sylhet, his condition deteriorated. He was admitted to the ICU, but tragically, doctors were unable to save him. Dhaka Capitals confirmed the incident in an official statement, expressing profound grief over the loss of a long-serving and dedicated coach.
Eyewitnesses at the stadium described the atmosphere as “utterly heartbreaking.” Zaki had been a respected figure in domestic cricket, mentoring numerous players over the years, and his sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community.
In the midst of this tragedy, the match went ahead as scheduled. Dhaka Capitals’ captain Mohammad Mithun won the toss and elected to bowl first. Players had to take to the field despite the emotional toll, a challenge that team insiders described as “mentally very difficult.”
Incident Summary – Dhaka Capitals vs Rajshahi Warriors, BPL 2025
| Time Before Match | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 20 minutes | Zaki collapses on field | Occurred during warm-up session near dressing rooms |
| Immediate | CPR administered | Coaching staff and medical team respond urgently |
| Transported | Taken to hospital | Al Haramain Hospital, Sylhet |
| Outcome | Cardiac arrest death | Declared deceased in ICU despite medical intervention |
Tragically, this is not the first time this season that Bangladeshi domestic cricket has witnessed such heart-wrenching events. The sudden passing of Mahbub Ali Zaki leaves a profound void, and tributes have poured in from across the cricketing fraternity. His contributions as a coach, mentor, and guiding presence will be remembered for years to come.