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

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal was 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

Tamim, pictured above after scoring a century at the Oval, represented Bangladesh across 70 Test matches, 243 one-day internationals and 78 T20 internationals between 2007 and 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.'

Doctors later issued an official medical bulletin confirming that Tamim had suffered a heart attack.

'He returned to us in a critical condition,' the bulletin began. 'We can call it a heart attack, and we subsequently did an angiogram and angioplasty to remove the blockage.

'The medical procedure has gone smoothly. He is currently under observation. The swift coordination between the medical staff at BKSP and the hospital ensured Tamim was treated quickly.'

A statement from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, who cancelled a scheduled meeting on Monday as a result, read: 'Tamim Iqbal Khan suffered a cardiac arrest this morning at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP).

'Tamim received immediate emergency medical treatment after being transferred to the nearby KPJ Specialized Hospital, where he underwent a successful angiogram procedure to address a blockage in one of the arteries of his heart. He is currently under close observation at the hospital's coronary care unit.'

BCB president Faruque Ahmed said: 'We are very thankful to all the medics and specialists for their swift actions in this critical situation. The outpouring of concern for Tamim reflects how much he is loved and appreciated by the nation.

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

With 25 international centuries to his name, he is the only Bangladeshi to score one at Lord's

'The BCB is closely monitoring his health and continues to remain in contact with the hospital's medical team. The board is committed to providing every support and assistance to ensure Tamim's swift recovery.'

Ahmed also delivered a positive health update on Tamim shortly after visiting him in hospital.

Revealing to Sportstar that Tamim is 'feeling slightly better now', Ahmed said: 'He had a massive heart attack, but now he is slightly better. With the effort of our doctors, he regained consciousness and is slightly better now.

'Now, he’s not on life support. Our doctors are taking optimum care of him.'

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.

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