Cricket star, 36, rushed to hospital and placed on life support after suffering heart attack during a match

By BEN WILLCOCKS

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has been rushed to hospital and placed on life support in intensive care after suffering a heart attack during a match.

Tamim, 36, underwent an emergency angioplasty after the incident, which occured during a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League game between Mohammedan Sporting Club and Shinepukur Cricket Club in Savar on Monday.

The former Essex star complained about having chest pains after the coin toss and went out to field for just one over before leaving the pitch. 

Tamim, who was captaining Mohammedan Sporting Club during the game, was immediately taken to the KPJ Specialised Hospital and Nursing Home to see doctors.

The 36-year-old was set to be airlifted to another hospital for further treatment after consulting with the medics, but was unable to do so due to complications. Tests at the original hospital confirmed Tamim’s arteries had been blocked.

A statement released by BKSP, the national sports institute of Bangladesh, read on Monday: ‘A helicopter transfer was discussed with the team manager but he was taken to KPJ Hospital and Nursing College, where a block in his heart was found after tests.’

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has been rushed to hospital and placed on life support

Iqbal, pictured playing for Bangladesh in 2019, underwent an emergency angioplasty after suffering a heart attack during a domestic match in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League

The former Bangladesh captain pictured alongside ex-England skipper Jos Buttler in 2023

Opening up on the incident, Montu Dutta, the BKSP chief cricket coach, told reporters: ‘He was in good spirits during the toss. When he felt sick, he left the field and took his own car to the hospital. 

‘The doctors there did not want to let him leave at the time, but Tamim left anyway and was arranging an air ambulance himself.’ 

Tamim represented Bangladesh across 70 Test matches, 243 one-day internationals and 78 T20 internationals during his 16 years with the team between 2007 and 2023.

Ahead of his international retirement, the left-handed batsman had scored over 15,000 runs across the formats, with an impressive 25 centuries to his name. 

He is also the only Bangladeshi to score a century against England at Lord’s. 

More to follow.

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Cricket star, 36, rushed to hospital and placed on life support after suffering heart attack during a match

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