Dhaka Capitals assistant coach dies after collapsing before team's opening BPL 2025-26 opener against Rajshahi Warriors

In a tragic incident, the assistant coach of Dhaka Capitals, Mahbub Ali Zaki, died after collapsing on the ground, just before the start of the franchise's Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26 opener against Rajshahi Warriors at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

The incident occurred just minutes before the game during Dhaka Capitals' warm-up session before the game. He was immediately attended by the franchise's medical team and was given CPR. Soon after an ambulance took him to a nearby hospital.

Th doctors declared Zaki is dead on arrival. The news was confirmed by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief physician Debashish Chowdhury. According to a Cricbuzz report, Zaki had not complained about any health issues prior to the incident or in the last few days. He was 59.

On hearing the news, several cricketers from different BPL teams like Sylhet Titans, Noakhali Express and Chattogram Royals rushed to the hospital to check on Zaki. He came into spotlight after working closely with Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed in 2016.

Mahbub Ali Zaki's rise to spotlight

During that time, Taskin's bowling action came under scrutiny during the T20 World Cup 2016. Earlier, a former fast biwler Zaki played for Comilla District in the National Cricket Championship and also played in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League.

Following his playing career, Zaki joined the BCB in 2008 as a High Performance coach and made significant contributions in player development and growth of pacers in Bangladesh.

“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 BCB said in a statement.

Dhaka Capitals beat Rajshahi Warriors

Meanwhile, despite the news of Zaki's death, the BPL match between Dhaka Capitals and Rajshahi Warriors went on as scheduled. Sent into bat first, Rajshahi Warriors managed 132/8 in 20 overs. Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto top scored with 37.

For Dhaka Capitals, Nasir Hossain took two wickets while Pakistan's Imad Wasim scalped three. In reply, the Dhaka franchise overhauled the target with seven balls to spare and five wickets in hand. Abdullah Al Mamun top scored with 47 for the winning team.