Women’s World Cup 2025: Bangladesh women’s head coach Sarwar Imran suffers minor brain stroke

Sarwar Imran, Bangladesh’s head coach, suffered a mild brain stroke in Colombo on September 29, three days before the team’s debut match at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. Fortunately, the seasoned coach is currently stable, resting at the team hotel, and hoping to resume the squad’s preparations.

Bangladesh is currently in Colombo, getting ready for their tournament opener against Pakistan on October 2 at the R. Premadasa Stadium. According to team manager SM Golam Faiyaz, Imran had been dizzy for a few days before being admitted to the hospital on Monday. After completing testing, including an MRI, physicians determined that he had suffered a small stroke.

Sarwar Imran was held under surveillance overnight and then discharged the next day, returning to the team hotel on September 30.

Despite his willingness to join training immediately afterwards, club management advised him to rest.

“(Sarwar) Imran sir was feeling dizzy a couple of days ago, and it continued on Monday. We took him to the hospital, where the doctors detected he had a minor brain stroke. We asked sir to rest today. He is hopeful of going to the ground with us tomorrow (Wednesday),” said Faiyaz.

Meanwhile, the 66-year-old is one of the most respected figures in Bangladesh cricket. Earlier this year, he was appointed as the women’s head coach, succeeding former Sri Lanka captain Hashan Tillakaratne. Under his stewardship, Bangladesh secured qualification for this World Cup, making it their second appearance on the global event, following their debut in 2022. Previously, Imran served as coach of the men’s team when they played their inaugural Test match against India in 2000.