Tamim Iqbal Suffers Heart Attack During Dhaka Premier League Game
The cricketing community in Bangladesh was left stunned when Tamim Iqbal, one of its most prominent stars, suffered a heart attack during a Dhaka Premier League (DPL) match on March 24, 2025. The incident unfolded at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan No 3 Ground in Savar, just as Tamim was leading his team, Mohammedan Sporting Club, against Shinepukur Cricket Club. Those at the ground saw Tamim suddenly clutching his chest while fielding—he was in visible discomfort and soon had to be helped off the field by teammates and medical staff.
Tamim's collapse sent panic through the ground. On-site medical staff acted quickly, administering CPR and using a defibrillator to revive him before he was rushed to Fazilatunnesa Hospital. As soon as he attempted to leave hospital care, his chest pain returned. Specialists quickly transferred him to KPJ Hospital, where doctors determined he needed an immediate stent insertion. From there, he was moved to KPJ Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for further, extensive treatment. There, Tamim underwent angioplasty and was briefly placed in the intensive care unit for close monitoring.
Recovery, Uncertain Return, and Reactions
After several days in hospital, Tamim was discharged on March 28. While doctors confirmed his heart function had stabilized, they warned that complications could still emerge in the coming weeks. Tamim has been told to make significant lifestyle changes, and his medical team—headed by respected cardiologist Abdul Wadud Chowdhury—emphasized the gravity of the event. They plan a detailed reassessment of his fitness in three to four months, which means any cricketing comeback is far from guaranteed.
Tamim, who retired from international cricket in 2023 but continued playing domestically, now faces a period of enforced rest and recovery. There’s a real fear that his playing days might be over, at least at the professional level. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) responded swiftly, postponing meetings to keep their attention on Tamim’s recovery. Several BCB directors traveled to Savar to show direct support. In the immediate chaos after his collapse, a helicopter was readied to transport him to a top hospital, but it was unable to depart for reasons the organizers haven’t explained.
Family, friends, teammates, and cricket fans anxiously awaited updates for days. Hospital spokespersons indicated that Tamim stabilized faster than expected, and initial tests thankfully didn’t indicate major permanent heart damage. Still, heart specialists advised against being overly optimistic, highlighting that heart attacks in professional athletes often mean difficult and uncertain paths back to sport.
Everyone in the Bangladesh cricket family is holding their breath to see if Tamim can recover enough to take the field again. Regardless of what happens, his scare has already prompted increased calls for better health monitoring for domestic cricketers in the country.
