Tamim Iqbal's Shocking Heart Attack on the Field
The Dhaka Premier League was supposed to be business as usual for both fans and players on March 24, 2025, but what happened on the field stunned everyone. Tamim Iqbal, the former Bangladesh cricket captain and a household name in the country, suddenly felt a sharp chest pain while fielding for Mohammedan Sporting Club against Shinepukur Cricket Club in Savar. That pain turned out to be a heart attack—a rare and terrifying sight on the cricket ground.
Medical staff did not waste a second. They rushed to Tamim, giving him CPR right there on the outfield as anxious teammates and officials watched. With defibrillator shocks and urgent care, they managed to stabilize him before he was airlifted to KPJ Hospital. Doctors there diagnosed a blocked artery and performed an angioplasty, inserting a stent to keep the blood flowing to his heart. Within hours, Tamim went from playing cricket to fighting for his life.
After his emergency operation, Tamim was moved to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Thankfully, his recovery was quick enough for doctors to clear him for discharge on March 26. His echocardiogram report looked decent, but doctors warned that any return to professional sport right now would be risky. There's always the worry of recurrence, especially after an episode like this.
A Career Paused and a Nation on Edge
This scare came at a strange time for Tamim. Only weeks ago, he had confirmed his second retirement from international cricket, bowing out right before the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy. At 36, Tamim was still the captain for Mohammedan Sporting Club, proving that even seasoned athletes are not immune to health threats lurking beneath the surface.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) kept close tabs on Tamim's condition throughout the ordeal. Officials were relieved by the medical team’s quick action and publicly thanked the doctors and support staff for their vigilance. As news spread, the entire country held its breath. Fans flooded social media with wishes, while past and present cricketers spoke up about the importance of health for athletes at every level.
Now, everyone is waiting for what comes next. Tamim’s future in competitive cricket hangs in the balance. Doctors plan to reassess his condition in three to four months. Until then, his career—and to some extent, part of Bangladesh’s cricketing heart—remains on hold. The medical board will take no chances, stressing that his long-term health is more important than any game. Tamim’s story is a real-life reminder that athletes are as human as the rest of us, no matter how strong or skilled they appear on the pitch.
The Tamim Iqbal episode is sparking new conversations about how sports organizations handle medical emergencies and the hidden health risks that professionals face. People are now looking at on-field safety protocols with fresh eyes, especially for experienced players who might be pushing their bodies to the limit. Tamim’s road back, if there is one, will be watched with hope by fans who can’t imagine cricket in Bangladesh without him.
