Salahuddin dies of cardiac arrest

Sheikh Salahuddin, the former Bangladesh offspinner, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday in his hometown Khulna. He died following a cardiac arrest, at the age of 44.

Salahuddin played six ODIs in 1997 taking four wickets. He made his debut against Pakistan in the Asia Cup that year, earning the praise of Saqlain Mushtaq, and played his last game against Kenya. He was active in the first-class circuit until 2006, after which he settled down as a divisional coach in Khulna.

The BCB, through a statement, said, "The board extends heartfelt sympathies to the family of the departed and prays for the salvation of his soul." A minute's silence was observed for Salahuddin before the start of the first Bangladesh-New Zealand ODI at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

He was born on February 10, 1969 in the village of Rajapur and represented a local club, Agradut, before progressing to the Dhaka League, where he played for several years before making the national side. He is survived by his wife, a daughter who got recently married, and a son who is in university.