In his first public statement since suffering a heart attack during a domestic cricket match, former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal on Tuesday thanked well-wishers, medical professionals, and the Almighty for helping him survive what he called an unexpected and life-altering episode.

Taking to his official Facebook page, Tamim reflected on how fragile life can be, sharing a heartfelt message filled with gratitude and introspection.

“Yesterday, when I started the day, did I know what was about to happen to me? No,” he wrote. “By the mercy of Allah and everyone’s prayers, I have come back.”

Tamim recounted how, two years ago during Ramadan, he met a friend named Anup, whose father could not undergo heart surgery even after four years. That memory, he said, returned sharply in light of his own experience.

Tamim advised to stay at KPJ Hospital for observation

“The rhythm of the heart is what keeps us alive. Yet we often forget that it can stop without any warning,” he added.

Tamim suffered the heart attack on Monday while leading Mohammedan Sporting Club in a Dhaka Premier League match at BKSP. He was initially thought to be suffering from gastric pain, but his condition deteriorated, prompting an emergency transfer to KPJ Specialized Hospital in Gazipur, where doctors found a blockage in his heart. He underwent angioplasty and had a stent placed. His condition is now stable but remains under 72-hour observation.

In his post, Tamim acknowledged the team of “extraordinary people” whose quick thinking and tireless efforts helped him overcome the crisis. He urged everyone to support each other in times of need and expressed hope that such moments would remind people of life’s unpredictability and brevity.

“Without your love, I am nothing,” Tamim said in closing, requesting prayers for himself and his family.