Prayers and well wishes began to pour in for former Bangladesh national cricket team captain Tamim Iqbal, who suffered a massive heart attack and needed emergency surgery at the KPJ Specialised Hospital in Savar, sending shockwaves through the country's cricket fraternity and beyond.
Tamim, who recently announced his international retirement, was playing for Mohammedan Sporting Club in a match against Shinepukur Cricket Club in the ongoing Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League at the BKSP-3.
Chief adviser to the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, enquired about the health condition of Tamim. On behalf of the chief adviser, deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder spoke to Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive officer Nizamddin Chowdhury.
The BCB cancelled their scheduled board meeting as the president, Faruqe Ahmed, and several other board directors rushed to the hospital.
However, the three matches, including that of Mohammedan, went on as per schedule, but Tamim was on the cricketer’s minds.
Parvez Hossain of Abahani Limited, who was playing at Mirpur; Irfan Shukkur and Sabbir Hossan of the Prime Bank Cricket Club, who were playing at the BKSP-4, just beside BKSP-3 where Tamim got ill—all said that they had to go through the devastating news.
Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taijul Islam, and Mahidul Islam all went to the hospital soon after the match was completed. Legendary cricketers like Lasith Malinga and Yuvraj Singh, along with the Bangladeshi cricketers, sent their well wishes for Tamim to have a speedy recovery.
Former national team opener and Tamim’s elder brother Nafees Iqbal, former national team captain Akram Khan, who is also Tamim’s uncle on his father’s side, and former national team captain Khaled Mahmud were also present at the hospital.
The social media soon started to flood with the news of Tamim’s illness, and the fans and followers sent their well-wishes to one of the most beloved cricketers of the country.
Bangladesh national team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto wrote on his Facebook page, ‘Get well soon, Tamim bhai. Prayers from all of us. Waiting to meet you back in the field, CHAMP.’
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored a hundred while coming to open the innings for Mohammedan in the absence of Tamim, said, ‘As you were firm in the crease, you will get through this tough period with your courage and toughness—this is the belief of me as well as the people of the country.’
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who captained Tamim, said, ‘May the almighty Allah help you, Tamim. Inshallah, you will get well and come back.’
National team batter Liton Das said, ‘Get well soon, Tamim vai. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Our prayers are with you.’
Imrul Kayes, who opened with Tamim numerous times, wrote, ‘Heard the news while playing that Tamim got seriously ill, and that too in the BKSP. Never expected such news; my heart became heavy after that.
‘I never saw him lose; I know he will win this fight too. Tamim, dost, hopefully you will be alright soon. May Allah get you well soon. Love and prayers for you,’ added Imrul.
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