Shocking Scene: Tamim Iqbal Collapses During Live Match
Crowds were caught off guard on March 24, 2025, when star cricketer Tamim Iqbal, captain of Mohammedan Sporting Club, clutched his chest and walked off the field midway through a Dhaka Premier League (DPL) clash. The game against Shinepukur Cricket Club in Savar had everything cricket fans expect—except for the heart-stopping turn of events as Tamim, Bangladesh’s former national team captain, suffered a heart attack in real time.
Those tense minutes on the pitch could have ended in tragedy if not for the quick-thinking medical team and trainer Yakub Chowdhury Dalim. As Tamim left the field hunched in discomfort, a small army of medical staff rushed to his side. Yakub didn’t hesitate—he administered vital CPR while paramedics supplied a DC shock to revive Tamim, whose life was suddenly hanging in the balance. Even in the chaos, the medics had a plan and moved with urgency, ensuring Tamim made it to KPJ Specialised Hospital just in time for an emergency angioplasty. A blocked artery was cleared and a stent inserted, stabilizing his condition.
What really struck the cricket community wasn’t just Tamim’s brush with mortality, but how close he came to much worse. The star batter, known for his powerful drives and cricket intelligence, credited his life to Yakub’s quick thinking. He made it clear: without that timely CPR, he might not have survived. The club and fans rallied, but the question on everyone’s lips was the same—would this be his last appearance as a professional cricketer?
Medical Team Faces an Uncertain Road Ahead
Following the angioplasty, Tamim was transported to KPJ Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for a more thorough assessment. By March 26, doctors felt confident enough to discharge him, announcing via medical reports that his heart was functioning steadily. A battery of echocardiography tests returned positive results, but this incident isn’t something anyone can brush off quickly—not even for an athlete of Tamim’s stamina and experience.
Dr. Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, who heads the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, isn’t sugarcoating the risks. Even with promising early results, the threat of future heart rhythm issues looms large. The hospital’s medical board has mapped out a cautious approach, blocking any immediate thoughts of a fast-track return to cricket. Their decision: Tamim must undergo a comprehensive fitness assessment three to four months down the road. Only then will they reassess whether he’s physically ready to face the demands of top-level cricket again.
The team’s advice spills beyond medical jargon: Tamim needs to embrace new lifestyle choices to cut down risk factors. Top priorities include cardiac monitoring, changes in diet, and probably dialing down stress—something hard to achieve in the white-hot world of professional sports. For now, training and on-field action are firmly on pause.
This isn’t just a setback for Tamim, but a moment that casts a spotlight on athlete health throughout Bangladesh. His experience has triggered conversations about emergency medical readiness at sports venues, shining a harsh light on the thin line between play and peril in modern sports.
As Tamim recovers at home, the cricket world is left holding its breath. His future on the field remains uncertain, but his story has already become a wakeup call—not just for players, but for everyone involved in the game, from team doctors to passionate fans.