Zahirul Haque

Zahirul Haque (; 5 January 1935 – 6 January 2024), simply known as Zahir, was a Bangladeshi footballer who played as a right-back. Eventually, he took up a job in the Dhaka Law Reports office in order to finance further education. He was later able to continue his studies at Jagannath College.

Club career Early career Zahir debuted in Dhaka football with Central Printing and Stationery Club in the Dhaka Second Division League, and his performances attracted offers from top-tier clubs. In 1954, he entered the First Division, with Tejgaon Friends Union through the recommendation of the club's administrator, Dinesh Chandra Sen.

Zahir rejoined Central Printing in 1956 following the club's promotion to the First Division.

On 13 February 1972, Zahir represented President's XI against Bangladesh XI during what was the first football game held since the Independence of Bangladesh. Later on that year, he was part of the Mohammedan team which won the first edition of the Independence Cup, a tournament held to celebrate the country's independence. He also won the league titles in 1975 and 1976, although by then as an irregular in the team. He retired on 3 May 1976, after securing his seventh and final league title with the club.

International career East Pakistan Zahir (standing second from right) with the East Pakistan football team in 1963 before a friendly against China. Zahir made his debut for the East Pakistan football team in 1957. In 1960, he was made team captain by coach Sheikh Shaheb Ali as East Pakistan made history by winning the National Football Championship for the very first time. In the tournament's final held in Karachi, East Pakistan defeated Karachi White 1–0. In 1961, he represented East Pakistan Selected XI during two exhibition games against Burma in Dhaka and Chittagong. In 1966, he captained East Pakistan XI during an exhibition match against Alga Soccer Club from the United States. After the National Championship was made division-based in 1961, Zahir represented Chittagong Division until 1970 as captain. In his final year, Chittagong won their first title by defeating Peshawar in the final held in Cumilla. The games were held in Dhaka, Chittagong and Karachi, respectively, with Zahir captaining Pakistan during the game held in Chittagong.

Zahir died due to a heart attack at Ibn Sina Hospital, in Dhaka, on 6 January 2024. He was initially admitted to the hospital on 4 January due to heart complications and fell into a coma on his 89th birthday, the following day. Zahir was buried in the Banani graveyard, beside his father, Nurul Haque.

Honours Mohammedan SC Dhaka First Division League: 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1975, 1976 Aga Khan Gold Cup: 1964, 1968 Independence Day Tournament: 1960, 1961, 1963, 1966 Mohammad Ali Bogra Shield: 1966 Independence Cup: 1972

East Pakistan National Football Championship: 1960

Chittagong Division National Football Championship: 1970

Pakistan Merdeka Tournament runner-up: 1962

Individual 1964 − Sports Writers Association's Best Sportsperson Award. 2001 − National Sports Award. 2012 − Grameenphone - Prothom Alo Sports Lifetime award of the Year.