Former Bangladesh cricket captain Tamim Iqbal suffered a heart attack on Monday during a Dhaka Premier League (DPL) match and was rushed to a hospital in Savar, leaving the cricketing fraternity in shock.
Tamim, 36, was leading Mohammedan Sporting Club in a 50-over DPL match against Shinepukur Cricket Club when he complained of chest pain after participating in the toss. Medical personnel were immediately called to the field, and after receiving initial treatment, he was transported to Fazilatunnesa Hospital in Savar.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief physician Dr. Debashish Chowdhury confirmed that Tamim had suffered a cardiac episode. “Early tests indicated minor heart complications, but his condition worsened while he was being moved towards a helipad for transport to Dhaka. This led to an immediate return to the hospital, where further evaluations confirmed the severity of the heart attack,” he told AFP.
Tamim is currently under close medical supervision, with doctors focusing on stabilising his condition. His family has been informed and is en route to the hospital.
The BCB cancelled its scheduled board meeting for the day, with several board members heading to the hospital to visit the veteran cricketer. Team official Tariqul Islam urged fans to pray for Tamim’s swift recovery.
Having represented Bangladesh in 391 matches across formats between 2007 and 2023, Tamim remains one of the country’s most accomplished cricketers, amassing over 15,000 international runs and being the only Bangladeshi batsman to score centuries in all three formats.
His sudden health scare has left the cricketing world deeply concerned, with fellow cricketers and fans expressing their support and well wishes.
A decorated career and records
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International debut and rise: Tamim made his international debut in 2007 against Zimbabwe and quickly cemented his place as one of Bangladesh’s most reliable openers. His aggressive batting style and ability to dominate bowlers made him a key figure in Bangladesh's rise in world cricket
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Highest run-scorer for Bangladesh: He is the highest run-scorer in ODIs for Bangladesh, having amassed 8,313 runs in 243 matches at an average of 36.62, including 14 centuries and 56 half-centuries
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T20 and Test contributions: In T20 Internationals, Tamim scored 1,758 runs in 78 matches, including the first-ever T20I century for Bangladesh. In Test cricket, he accumulated 5,134 runs in 70 matches, with 10 centuries and 31 fifties
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First Bangladeshi with centuries in all formats: He remains the only Bangladeshi batsman to have scored a century in all three formats of the game—a feat that highlights his adaptability and class
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Captaincy and leadership: He led Bangladesh in various formats, serving as the full-time ODI captain before announcing his retirement in 2023. Under his leadership, Bangladesh secured several notable victories, including series wins against top-ranked teams like India and South Africa
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World Cup performances: Tamim played crucial roles in Bangladesh’s World Cup campaigns, particularly in 2015 and 2019, where his batting performances helped the team register memorable wins against established cricketing nations
