Tamim Iqbal's Scare on the Cricket Pitch
If you think professional athletes are invincible, Tamim Iqbal’s story might change your mind. On March 24, 2025, during what started as a regular fixture in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL), Tamim—the seasoned former Bangladesh captain—found himself in a fight for his life. He was heading Mohammedan Sporting Club against Shinepukur Cricket Club, but the day took a shocking turn before the first ball was bowled.
Before the match began, Tamim complained of tightness in his chest. Medical staff checked him, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Still, he chose to play and stood on the field. The unease escalated during Shinepukur’s innings. Suddenly, Tamim collapsed on the pitch, stunning teammates and spectators. No one expected this from a 36-year-old who just recently dominated on the field.
Within minutes, the gravity of the situation became clear. Tamim was swiftly airlifted via helicopter from the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Emergency crews didn’t waste a second. They gave him CPR and a defibrillator shock to stabilize his heart. Soon after, cardiologists performed an emergency angioplasty—the kind where doctors rush to insert a stent to keep a clogged artery open. That split-second response might have saved his life.
Aftermath and the Uncertain Road Ahead
Tamim remained under close medical watch for the next four days. When doctors discharged him on March 28, the relief was massive across the cricket community. The message from doctors was clear: drastic lifestyle changes were not just recommended—they were non-negotiable. High-performance athletes face demands, but after a heart attack, it’s a new ball game. No one could say when—or even if—Tamim will put on his cricket gear for a professional match again.
This episode came just after Tamim had stepped away from international cricket, ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy. His decision to play the DPL seemed like a lighter way to stay connected to the sport, and fans watched in awe as he smashed 368 runs at a staggering average of 73.60 with a strike rate over 102. Simply put, he was in top form, showing no signs of slowing down—until the heart attack forced an unplanned pause.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) put its business on hold to visit their former skipper, and social media flooded with messages from across the globe—from diehard fans to international players. Tamim’s presence on and off the field had made him a figure bigger than just cricket in Bangladesh.
No one knows how the next chapter unfolds for Tamim—whether the cricket field will see his return, or if his legacy will transition to mentoring future talent from the sidelines. For now, his recovery and the seriousness of his health scare remind everyone that even sporting icons can face sudden health battles. The question hanging in the air isn’t just about Tamim’s cricket return—it’s about his renewed fight for health, strength, and a life beyond the boundary rope.