Former Black Caps coach David Trist dies; Shahidul Alam Ratan paid an emotional tribute to Trist

The cricketing world is in mourning following the passing of David Trist, former head coach of the New Zealand national team. Trist breathed his last on Thursday in Christchurch, New Zealand, at the age of 77.

Trist remains a legendary figure in New Zealand cricket, best remembered for guiding the national side to their only major ICC title—the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy, now known as the Champions Trophy. He served as New Zealand’s head coach from 1999 to 2001, a tenure marked by tactical brilliance and a calm leadership style.

Beyond his contributions to New Zealand cricket, Trist also had successful coaching stints with teams in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and South Africa’s Eastern Province. His global experience and deep understanding of the game made him a respected figure in international coaching circles.

Former Bangladesh coach and cricket organizer Shahidul AlamRatanpaid an emotional tribute to Trist, recalling a unique experience they shared during Hong Kong's tour of Bangladesh in 1996. At the time, Trist was coaching the Hong Kong team while Ratan served as the local manager.

Raton reminisced:

“David was an extraordinary person and a coach with a deep understanding of cricket. I spent nearly three weeks with him in 1996. One morning, he called me and said their regular captain and wicketkeeper, Patrick Fordham, was suffering from food poisoning and couldn’t play. They had no backup wicketkeeper.”

Trist then made an unusual request:

“He asked me to play in the match. I agreed immediately, kept wickets, scored 47 runs, and was involved in three dismissals. Hong Kong even won that match!”

Laughing, Ratan added:

“Believe it or not, for a day, I played for the Hong Kong national team—and it was all thanks to David Trist. Without him, that memory wouldn’t exist.”

David Trist’s legacy lives on not only through New Zealand’s lone ICC title but also through the countless lives he touched as a coach and mentor. His passing marks the end of an era for a dedicated and globally respected cricketing mind.