Tamim Iqbal opens up on harrowing health scare

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal expressed his gratitude on Facebook after being discharged from the hospital following a heart attack on Monday.

Despite retiring from international cricket in January 2025, Tamim continues to play domestic cricket. He was leading Mohammedan Sporting Club in a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match against Shinepukur Cricket Club when he experienced discomfort immediately after the toss.

He was taken to a local hospital for initial treatment, but later collapsed and was rushed for an angioplasty surgery on Monday.

"By all your prayers, I am at home now," said Tamim in a message posted in Bangla on his Facebook page.

"In these four days, I have discovered my surroundings as I found a new life. All that realisation has only love and gratitude. I have got your love throughout my career. But now I have felt it even more intensely. I am really overwhelmed."

He also extended his heartfelt gratitude to the medical professionals, hospitals, support staff and individuals who played a vital role in his recovery, with special mention of trainer Yakub Chowdhury Dalim, whose timely CPR when he collapsed was deemed life-saving.

"How to thank our trainer Yakub Chowdhury Dalim bhai, I don't really know. I learned later, the specialist doctors said that I wouldn't have been saved if Dalim Bhai had not given CPR properly at that time," he wrote.

Tamim concluded his post by saying, "The road to full recovery is still long. Keep me and my family in your prayers. May everyone's life be beautiful and peaceful. Love for everyone."

Regarded as one of Bangladesh's finest batters, Tamim played 387 games across formats, scoring 15,192 runs, which included 25 centuries. He is also the second-highest run-getter for the Tigers across the three formats, only behind Mushfiqur Rahim.