Shock on the Field: Tamim Iqbal's Medical Emergency Stops Play
The usually buzzing cricket grounds of Savar were struck silent on March 24, when Tamim Iqbal, once the face of Bangladesh cricket, collapsed during the Dhaka Premier League match between Mohammedan Sporting Club and Shinepukur Cricket Club. It wasn't just a pulled muscle or a twisted ankle — it was a massive wake-up call wrapped in chest pain, coming without warning in the middle of the first innings while Tamim was out there fielding.
Witnesses say Tamim first tried to shrug off what appeared to be discomfort, determined to keep playing. But his condition quickly worsened and the game was halted. On-field medics rushed in, realizing this was no ordinary injury. Words spread fast: Tamim Iqbal, the man behind countless Bangladesh run chases, needed urgent help. The initial plan was to fly him out by helicopter, but as his condition deteriorated, a ground ambulance took him straight to KPJ Specialised Hospital.
Emergency Response and a Tough Road to Recovery
At the hospital, time was the enemy. Tamim received immediate CPR and a DC shock to stabilize his heart before surgeons performed emergency angioplasty to clear a dangerous blockage. Within hours, he was shifted to the KPJ Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for close monitoring, and for two tense days, his family and fans waited for updates from the hospital's coronary care unit (CCU).
The relief was visible when news broke that Tamim was awake and talking with family just a day after surgery. Dr. Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, head of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, gave even more hope — Tamim's heart function seemed normal for now, thanks to swift intervention. But he didn't sugarcoat it: Tamim would remain under close watch, with restrictions on his activities, and any decision about a comeback to cricket was months away.
After four days — on March 28 — Tamim finally left the hospital. The buzzing questions among teammates and fans haven't stopped since: will he ever return to professional cricket? Doctors have set up a medical board to make that call, but we won't know more for at least 3-4 months. For now, Tamim's in recovery mode, and the cricket world is left to watch, hope, and wait.
This incident throws a harsh spotlight on player health and emergency response in the high-pressure world of cricket. While Tamim is out of immediate danger, his story now stands as a reminder of how even heroes can be hit by life-threatening events right on the field. Whatever happens next, Tamim Iqbal’s place in Bangladesh cricket history is secure — but the big question about his playing days? That answer’s still up in the air.