A tragic scene unfolded at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, December 27, when Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahboob Ali Zaki passed away during pre-match preparations ahead of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) clash against Rajshahi Royals.
Tragic incident: Mehboob Ali Zaki died after falling on the field
When the Dhaka Capitals team was practicing for the Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26 match against Rajshahi Royals at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Mehboob Ali Zaki suddenly fell on the ground.
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The medical staff immediately provided emergency CPR on the field before taking him to the nearest hospital via ambulance. Despite all efforts, the 59-year-old coach could not be saved and was declared dead at around 1 pm.
BCB confirms death of Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahboob Ali Zaki
In an official statement, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed that Zaki died in Sylhet. His shocking demise has left the Bangladesh cricket community in deep shock and mourning, as he played a vital role in developing young bowlers and strengthening pace resources.
A BCB statement released on Twitter read: “Bangladesh Cricket Board deeply condoles the demise of Mahboob Ali Zaki (59), specialist pace bowling coach of BCB Game Development Department and assistant coach of Dhaka Capitals in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2026.”
The Bangladesh Board further said: “He passed away today, 27 December 2025, at approximately 1:00 pm in Sylhet. Mahboob Ali Zaki’s dedication and invaluable contribution to fast bowling and the development of Bangladesh cricket will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude. The Bangladesh Cricket Board expresses its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the entire cricket fraternity at this time of immense loss.”
Bangladesh Cricket Board BCB deeply condoles the demise of Mahboob Ali Zaki (59), specialist pace bowling coach of the BCB Game Development Department and assistant coach of Dhaka Capitals in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2026.
He passed away today, 27th December 2025… pic.twitter.com/KVv9FwrWOF
– Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) 27 December 2025
Awaiting official reason
Currently, the exact cause of Zaki’s demise is not known, as neither the BCB nor the BPL officials or medical staff have revealed the cause. But initial reports suggested that a cardiac problem, such as cardiac arrest or heart attack, could have been the reason behind the tragic incident.
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Interestingly, Zaki had not reported any health problems before the incident. Despite this incident, the Bangladesh Premier League match between Dhaka Capitals and Rajshahi Royals took place at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Who was Mehboob Ali Zaki?
Zaki was widely respected for his deep understanding of bowling mechanics and player rehabilitation. He served as the national specialist bowling coach in the Bangladesh Cricket Board and worked extensively at the National Cricket Academy in Mirpur.
He was also the bowling coach of the Bangladesh Under-19 team that won the historic ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2020. In the BPL, he stint with Chittagong Vikings in 2017 and later joined Dhaka Capitals in 2025.
He was part of the bowling action review committee and helped recreate Taskin Ahmed’s action, shaping Shoriful Islam into a genuine fast bowler.
Wave of condolence from the cricket world
The news of Zaki’s demise caused a wave of mourning in the cricket community. Tributes poured in on social media:
Sad loss for Bangladesh cricket as Dhaka Capitals assistant coach passes away
Bangladesh cricket suffered a heartbreaking loss today as Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahboob Ali Zaki tragically passed away after collapsing during a practice session.
Cricket… pic.twitter.com/n5etZg5RF8-KhilariTak (@KhilariTak) 27 December 2025
Bangladesh Cricket Board BCB deeply condoles the demise of Mahboob Ali Zaki (59), specialist pace bowling coach of the BCB Game Development Department and assistant coach of Dhaka Capitals in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2026.
He passed away today, 27th December 2025… pic.twitter.com/p1ImtCNX0G
– Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) 27 December 2025
Dhaka Capitals’ assistant coach Mahboob Ali Zaki suffered a heart attack moments before the start of their opening match. He was immediately taken to the hospital but sadly passed away. pic.twitter.com/FqgoSL2OBJ
– Cricket Room (@cricketroom_) 27 December 2025
Heartbreaking news from BPL.
Dhaka Capitals’ assistant coach Mahboob Ali Zaki suffered a heart attack moments before the start of their opening match. He was immediately taken to the hospital but sadly passed away.#BPL2026 pic.twitter.com/CTBO97RHW3
– Raisul Rifat (@raisul_rifat88) 27 December 2025
Just two days ago, he was talking to the media about Dhaka’s plans and the selection of Dhaka players in the auction table. How quickly everything changed…
Dhaka’s assistant head coach Mehboob Ali Zaki is no more with us. He collapsed about 20 minutes before today’s match, and this… pic.twitter.com/peURi0TSAI
– Shadman Saqib Arnob (@arnuX05) 27 December 2025
Heartbreaking.
Zaki, the assistant coach of BPL team Dhaka Capitals, suffered a heart attack on the field shortly before the start of the first game.
Zaki was admitted to the hospital, where he was later declared dead.
May Allah grant them heaven. Amen.#Breaking #news #coach pic.twitter.com/WaxfTQGru1
– Muhammad Shaheer (@ShaheerSh10520) 27 December 2025
– Mehboob Ali, assistant coach of BPL team Dhaka Capitals, collapsed on the field in Dhaka and died. Very sad incident. Tear out
– Asif Khan (@mak_asif) 27 December 2025