Coach Sujon Still Firm in His Faith in Zakir Ali

For many, Zakir Ali once seemed destined to become a force of nature in Bangladesh cricket—a bold, free-flowing batter with the temperament for both grit and explosiveness. In his early days, he embodied confidence: a player who could graft through difficult phases and later accelerate with authority to guide his team home. At times, he proved exactly that, playing several crucial knocks where he combined patience with power to remarkable effect.

But over time something has noticeably shifted. The flair, bravery and self-belief that once defined Zakir appear to have faded. In their place has emerged a hesitant and inconsistent version of the batter, struggling to reconnect with his earlier rhythm. His shot selection has looked increasingly uncertain, and the scoreboard reflects the decline.

Zakir Ali’s Recent Form

Across his last 13 limited-overs innings, he has failed to reach a half-century even once—an alarming sign for a player once viewed as a dependable middle-order presence.

Performance Table

Combined: 182 runs in 13 innings.

Such statistics have naturally fuelled concern among supporters. Yet despite the slump, one influential figure remains unwavering in his support—Khaled Mahmud Sujon, the head coach of Noakhali Express in the upcoming BPL season and affectionately known throughout Bangladesh cricket as “Chacha”.

Sujon’s Unshaken Confidence

Sujon, renowned for nurturing fighters in Dhaka cricket, insists that Zakir’s struggles are temporary. In his view, the batter’s determination, work ethic and intrinsic ability are intact—awaiting the right conditions to re-emerge.

“I’ve always had my eyes on Zakir,” Sujon said. “He’s someone I trust deeply. He’s hardworking, dedicated, and a genuine match-winner. Yes, he may be slightly off track in the national team, but that’s only temporary. Insha’Allah, he will make a strong comeback in the BPL.”

Why the Dip in Form? Sujon Offers an Explanation

According to Sujon, Zakir’s lack of big scores has more to do with his batting position than his ability. In the national side, he is often pushed into one of the most demanding roles—walking in late with little time to settle, forced to hit from the outset.

“At that position,” Sujon explained, “you’re either a hero or a zero. There isn’t much room to build an innings.”

A New Role, a New Beginning?

Sujon believes that giving Zakir a slightly higher batting slot in the BPL could free him up mentally and allow him to rediscover his natural flow. With more deliveries to face, he could rebuild the assurance that once made him such a promising prospect.

For now, the coach’s faith stands firm. As the BPL approaches, all eyes will be on whether Zakir Ali can repay that belief—and script the comeback Sujon so confidently predicts.