Mizoram U-19 coach, 45, dies

New Delhi: Former Bengal leftarm spinner and Mizoram U-19

head coach Murtaza Lodhgar died of cardiac arrest on Friday night in Visakhapatnam, Cricket

Association Bengal president Avishek Dalmiya has confirmed. Lodhgar, 45, was in the port

city with the Mizoram colts, who were set to play the league phase of Vinoo Mankad Trophy (U-19 National One Dayers) as BCCI’s domestic season is set

to commence. “The tragedy happened just

after dinner,” Dalmiya said. “Murtu bhai (as he was known

in Bengal circles) along with team’s physio went out for an after-dinner walk and suddenly

felt enormous chest pain and fell on the road. The physio and other team members immediately took him to the hospital where he was declared brought

dead late on Friday. “I still can’t believe that Murtu bhai is no more. He was one of the most loved cricketers in our

fraternity and also worked with our women’s team with distinction. It’s an irreparable loss,”

Dalmiya said.