Tamim Iqbal, the former Bangladesh captain, suffered a heart attack during a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match in Savar, following which he underwent emergency angioplasty.
Doctors said that Tamim Iqbal had regained consciousness and spoken to a family member following the emergency surgery on Monday. Tamim will remain in the coronary care unit (CCU) for the next 48 hours as doctors will monitor his recovery from the heart surgery.
Tamim was leading Mohammedan Sporting Club against Shinepukur Cricket Club but fielded for just one over of the game’s first innings. After feeling discomfort in his chest, Tamim left the field and went to the KPJ Specialised Hospital and Nursing Home (formerly Fazilatunnesa Hospital) nearby to see doctors.
“He was in good spirits during the toss,” Montu Dutta, the BKSP chief cricket coach, told reporters in the afternoon. “When he felt sick, he left the field and went to the hospital. The doctors there did not want to let him leave at the time, but Tamim left anyway.”
As he returned to the ground a family member had made arrangements for an air ambulance to take Tamim to Dhaka. But Tamim was unable to do so as his condition worsened, to the extent that the Mohammedan team physio had to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on him. He was then rushed back to the KPJ hospital as doctors at the ground felt lifting him on the air ambulance was out of the question.
He arrived at the hospital in critical condition, according to doctors, and tests revealed a blockage in his arteries. An hour after the surgery was completed, the hospital held a short press briefing where it confirmed that Tamim had come to the hospital twice on Monday, the second time having suffered a heart attack. Cardiologist Dr. Moniruzzaman Maruf performed Tamim’s surgery, the hospital said.
“He returned to us in a critical condition,” said Dr Rajib Hasan, of the KPJ Hospital. “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.”
BCB’s chief physician Dr Debashis Chowdhury confirmed later that Tamim had regained consciousness. “Tamim Iqbal has regained consciousness. His vital signs are improving so we also hope that his overall health will also get better in the next 24 hours. The hospital has briefed you that they have put a ring in one of his arteries. The other arteries are healthy.”
BCB cancelled their scheduled directors’ meeting soon after they heard of Tamim’s situation. President Faruque Ahmed rushed to the hospital alongside chief executive Nizamuddin Ahmed and director Akram Khan, Tamim’s uncle.
Later in the afternoon, Tamim’s Mohammedan team-mates Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam visited him. A large number of reporters, camerapersons were at the hospital reception, apart from many fans and on-lookers.
Having confirmed his international retirement in January this year, Tamim has continued to play domestic cricket. He led the Fortune Barishal franchise to a second successive BPL title last month. He had already struck two centuries in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League, having now led Mohammedan to six wins in eight outings. ESPNCricinfo
