Tamim Iqbal, the former Essex cricketer, is fighting for his life after suffering a 'massive heart attack' on the field in Bangladesh. The incident took place during Mohammedan Sporting Club's match against Shinepukur Cricket Club in the Dhaka Premier League on Monday. Iqbal, who captained Bangladesh in ODI matches between 2020 and 2023, was said to have been complaining about chest pains before the coin toss.

The 36-year-old was tended to by medics on the field before he was rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment. A helicopter had been arranged to transport Iqbal to a medical facility in Dhaka, but it could not be flown and he was ultimately taken to the nearby Fazilatunnesa Hospital in Savar.

Debashis Chowdhury, the Bangladesh Cricket Board's medical officer, told AFP: "He suffered a heart attack. What I know so far is that his heart started to function better. He underwent initial checks at a local hospital, where mild heart issues were suspected.

"Efforts were made to transport him to Dhaka but on the way to the helipad, he experienced severe chest pain and had to be rushed back. Medical reports later confirmed it was a massive heart attack."

Team physio Enamul Haque added: "Everything seemed normal in the morning when we arrived at the ground. But after taking the field, he suddenly complained of chest pain. We acted quickly and took him straight to the hospital."

A scheduled meeting of the Bangladesh Cricket Board was postponed in light of the incident, with several officials thought to be on their way to the hospital where Iqbal is being treated. According to India Today, he is in a critical condition.

Iqbal made his ODI debut for Bangladesh in 2007 and played in his first Test match the following year. He scored 15,192 runs for his country across all forms of cricket, making him their second-highest scorer of all time. He is also their highest century-maker in international matches with a total of 25.

The left-handed batsman is the only Bangladeshi to have ever scored a century against England during a match at Lord's Cricket Ground. He stepped down as ODI captain in 2023 and announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket in January.