Shock on the Field: Tamim Iqbal's Cardiac Emergency During Play
Fans at Savar were left stunned on March 24, 2025. Tamim Iqbal, one of Bangladesh's most prominent cricket stars, suddenly clutched his chest during a tense Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match. Mohammedan Sporting Club faced Shinepukur Cricket Club, but the game was suddenly overshadowed by real-life drama—Tamim’s health crisis.
Tamim, captaining Mohammedan, looked steady at the toss. By all accounts, he seemed upbeat—BKSP coach Montu Dutta even said Tamim was in 'good spirits.' No one expected what happened next. During the first phase of fielding, Tamim started feeling chest discomfort. Concerned, he left the field and rushed to KPJ Specialised Hospital. Initial tests and medical checks at the hospital suggested he was stable enough to consider returning to play. But that sense of relief didn’t last long.
As he tried to get back into the game, his symptoms worsened rapidly. Right there at the ground, Tamim’s condition became critical. With little time to react, the team physio had to give him urgent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The scene was tense—staff and players watched helplessly as their star cricketer received emergency care. An air ambulance was standing by, ready if his condition improved, but there was no time. Tamim had to go straight back to KPJ for specialized treatment. Soon after arrival, doctors performed a battery of tests: the ECG lit up with red flags and blood work confirmed the worst.
Emergency Surgery and Aftermath: Tamim's Road Ahead
Specialists diagnosed a massive heart attack. Without delay, surgeons performed an emergency angioplasty, hoping to relieve the blockage and stabilize the cricketer. For his family and the national cricket community, it was a nerve-wracking wait. He regained consciousness after surgery and was transferred to the coronary care unit (CCU). Doctors kept him under close monitoring for a full 48 hours, following protocols meant to quickly spot and react to any complications.
Debashish Chowdhury, head physician of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, confirmed that Tamim’s case showed both ECG and blood anomalies. Chowdhury pointed out how the heart attack was unexpected: Tamim had felt better after his first hospital visit but soon relapsed, showing just how unpredictable—and deadly—heart conditions can be. The cricket board, rattled by the incident, suspended planned meetings as everyone’s focus shifted to Tamim’s recovery.
This close call comes at a time when professional sports are often seen as the domain of the invincible. Tamim’s sudden crisis shakes that perception, reminding athletes and fans alike that health risks don’t pick favorites. The community is anxiously awaiting more updates as Tamim continues to recover, emphasizing the serious nature of cardiac events—even among top-level players. Hospital sources report that, for now, Bangladesh’s cricket hero is stable but under strict medical supervision.
The emotional impact has spread across the Bangladesh cricket circuit. Teammates and rivals have paused regular training, and social media is flooded with hopes for Tamim’s speedy recovery. As one of the country’s most beloved athletes, Tamim’s fight off the pitch is commanding as much attention—and worry—as any match he’s played.