Tamim Iqbal's Sudden Medical Crisis on the Field
No one in Bangladeshi cricket was prepared for the shock that unfolded on March 24, 2025. Tamim Iqbal, one of the country’s most beloved cricketers, took to the field to captain Mohammedan Sporting Club in a Dhaka Premier League match against Shinepukur Cricket Club. The game kicked off as usual, with Tamim walking out for the toss and then leading his team in the field for the first over. But in a matter of minutes, the mood shifted dramatically.
After just one over, Tamim complained of severe chest discomfort and walked off the pitch. The seriousness became clear quickly—officials scrambled to arrange a helicopter for his immediate evacuation, but things escalated faster than expected. Tamim collapsed, prompting the team physio to step in with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and a direct current (DC) shock right there at the ground. According to Tamim, these quick actions were the difference between life and death.
Tamim was rushed to KPJ Specialised Hospital in Savar, where doctors wasted no time moving him into emergency angioplasty. They inserted a stent to restore blood flow to his heart. By evening, he was stable enough to be transferred to KPJ Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where he spent two days under constant watch in the coronary care unit (CCU).
Doctors Weigh In: Cricket Legend’s Future in the Balance
The cricket world breathed a sigh of relief when news broke on March 26 that Tamim was being discharged. His echocardiogram results from KPJ Evercare came back normal. Still, no one is calling this a clean bill of health just yet. Dr. Abdul Wadud Chowdhury of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases explained that while Tamim’s immediate tests were encouraging, the road ahead is complicated. A medical board plans to reconvene in three to four months for a follow-up assessment to see if it’ll be safe for Tamim to try and return to professional cricket.
Back at home with his family, Tamim has been vocal about the urgency of the medical response that saved his life. He’s credited the on-field CPR and shock as the critical factors in his survival. Fans and fellow players have flooded social media with support and well-wishes, but many are asking the obvious question: will Bangladesh’s left-handed opening star ever play again?
The cricketing calendar waits for no one, but so far, Tamim’s absence is being felt both by his club and the national team. For now, his story stands as a stark reminder of how quickly lives can change—even for sporting icons in their prime. The spotlight is now on his health, and by extension, the attention has turned to the importance of having trained medical staff at all major sporting events, a detail that might easily be overlooked until tragedy nearly strikes.
Until the medical board meets again, Tamim’s return to the game he loves is anything but certain. The only sure thing right now is that the game—and an entire nation—will be waiting and hoping for positive news.