Bangladesh’s cricket community was shaken on Monday as former national ODI captain Tamim Iqbal suffered a heart attack during a domestic match and was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
The 36-year-old cricketer was leading Mohammedan Sporting Club in a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League 50-over match. He participated in the pre-match toss but soon after, complained of chest pain. Tamim received immediate medical attention on the field before being transferred to a nearby hospital in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka.
“He suffered a heart attack. What I know so far is that his heart started to function better,” said Dr. Debashis Chowdhury, Medical Officer of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), in a statement to AFP.
Tariqul Islam, an official from Tamim’s team, urged the nation to keep the cricketer in their thoughts.
“Tamim is being treated at a hospital in Savar. We request everyone to pray for his swift recovery,” Islam told reporters.
In response to the incident, the BCB immediately canceled its scheduled board meeting, with several board members rushing to the hospital to visit the ailing cricket star.
Tamim Iqbal is widely regarded as one of Bangladesh’s greatest cricketers. Between 2007 and 2023, he represented Bangladesh in 391 matches across all formats, amassing over 15,000 international runs. He remains the only Bangladeshi batsman to score centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, a feat that cements his legendary status in the country’s cricket history.
He stepped down as ODI captain in 2023, ending an illustrious tenure marked by his consistent performance, leadership, and dedication to Bangladesh cricket. His sudden health emergency has stunned fans, players, and officials alike, prompting an outpouring of support across social media and beyond.
Tamim’s condition has now stabilized, according to initial reports, but doctors have yet to issue a detailed update on his recovery or whether he will return to cricket.
The incident highlights the immense physical and mental strain professional athletes endure, even at the domestic level, and has triggered calls for enhanced medical screenings and on-field emergency response measures in domestic tournaments.
Fans across the country and cricket lovers worldwide continue to pray for Tamim’s full and speedy recovery, hoping to see their hero return to health soon.
