Dhaka Capitals coach Mahbub Ali Zaki DIES after collapsing on field before BPL match

A tragic scene unfolded at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, December 27, as Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki passed away after collapsing during pre-match preparations ahead of their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) clash against the Rajshahi Royals.

The Tragic Incident: Mahbub Ali Zaki Dies After Collapsing on Field

Mahbub Ali Zaki suddenly collapsed on the ground while the Dhaka Capitals team was warming up for the Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26 match against the Rajshahi Royals at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

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Medical staff immediately provided emergency CPR on the field before rushing him to a nearby hospital via ambulance. Despite all efforts, the 59-year-old coach could not be saved, and he was declared dead at approximately 1:00 PM.

BCB Confirms Passing of Dhaka Capitals Assistant Coach Mahbub Ali Zaki

In an official statement, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed that Zaki passed away in Sylhet. His shocking passing has left the Bangladesh cricket community in deep shock and mourning, as he played an important role in nurturing young bowlers and strengthening the pace resources.

The BCB statement released on X reads: “The Bangladesh Cricket Board deeply mourns the passing of Mahbub Ali Zaki (59), Specialist Pace Bowling Coach of the BCB Game Development Department and Assistant Coach of Dhaka Capitals in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2026.”

The Bangladesh board further stated: “He passed away today, 27 December 2025, in Sylhet at around 1:00 PM (afternoon). Mahbub Ali Zaki’s dedication and invaluable contribution to the development of fast bowling and Bangladesh cricket will be remembered with profound respect and gratitude. The Bangladesh Cricket Board extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire cricketing fraternity at this time of immense loss.”

The Bangladesh Cricket Board deeply mourns the passing of Mahbub Ali Zaki (59), Specialist Pace Bowling Coach of the BCB Game Development Department and Assistant Coach of Dhaka Capitals in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2026.

He passed away today, 27 December 2025, in… pic.twitter.com/KVv9FwrWOF

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) December 27, 2025

An Official Cause Awaited

Presently, the exact reason for Zaki’s passing is not known, as neither the BCB nor the BPL officials or medical staff revealed the cause. But the initial report suggested that a heart-related problem, like a cardiac arrest or heart attack, could be the cause behind the tragic incident.

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Interestingly, Zaki had not reported any health problems before the incident. Despite the incident, the Bangladesh Premier League match between Dhaka Capitals and Rajshahi Royals took place at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Who was Mahbub Ali Zaki?

Zaki was widely respected for his deep understanding of bowling mechanics and player rehabilitation. He served as the National Specialist Bowling Coach at 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 worked with the Chittagong Vikings in 2017 and later joined the Dhaka Capitals in 2025.

He was part of the Bowling Action Review Committee and helped rebuild Taskin Ahmed’s action while shaping Shoriful Islam into a genuine fast bowler.

Outpouring of Grief from the Cricket World

News of Zaki’s passing sent shockwaves through the cricket community. Tributes flooded social media:

💔😭 TRAGIC LOSS FOR BANGLADESH CRICKET AS DHAKA CAPITALS ASSISTANT COACH PASSES AWAY 💔

Bangladesh cricket suffered a heartbreaking loss today as Dhaka Capitals’ assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki sadly passed away after collapsing during a practice session.
The cricketing… pic.twitter.com/n5etZg5RF8

— KhilariTak (@KhilariTak) December 27, 2025

The Bangladesh Cricket Board deeply mourns the passing of Mahbub Ali Zaki (59), Specialist Pace Bowling Coach of the BCB Game Development Department and Assistant Coach of Dhaka Capitals in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2026.

He passed away today, 27 December 2025, in… pic.twitter.com/p1ImtCNX0G

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) December 27, 2025

Dhaka Capitals’ assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki suffered a heart attack just moments before the start of their opening match. He was taken to hospital immediately but sadly passed away. pic.twitter.com/FqgoSL2OBJ

— Cricket Room (@cricketroom_) December 27, 2025

Heartbreaking news from the BPL.

Dhaka Capitals’ assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki suffered a heart attack just moments before the start of their opening match. He was taken to hospital immediately but sadly passed away.#BPL2026 pic.twitter.com/CTBO97RHW3

— Raisul Rifat (@raisul_rifat88) December 27, 2025

Just two days ago, he was speaking to the media about Dhaka’s plans and selecting Dhaka players at the auction table. How quickly everything changed…

Dhaka’s Assistant Head Coach Mahbub Ali Zaki is no longer with us. He collapsed around 20 minutes before today’s match, and it… pic.twitter.com/peURi0TSAI

— Shadman Sakib Arnob (@arnuX05) December 27, 2025

HEARTBREAKING.

BPL team Dhaka Capitals’ assistant coach Zaki suffered a heart attack on the field just moments before the start of their first game.

Zaki was admitted to the hospital, where he was later declared dead.

May Allah grant him Jannah. Ameen.#breaking #news #coach pic.twitter.com/WaxfTQGru1

— Muhammad Shaheer (@ShaheerSh10520) December 27, 2025

- BPL team’s Dhaka Capitals’ assistant coach, Mahbub Ali collapsed on the field in Dhaka and passed away. Very sad incident. RIP

— Asif Khan (@mak_asif) December 27, 2025