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

Published - 01 Oct 2025, 10:07 IST | Updated - 01 Oct 2025, 10:32 IST

The Bangladesh women’s head coach, Sarwar Imran, suffered a minor brain stroke in Colombo on September 29, just days before their opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. Fortunately, the veteran coach is now stable, recovering at the team hotel, and remains hopeful of rejoining the squad’s preparations.

Bangladesh is currently in Colombo, gearing up for their tournament opener against Pakistan on October 2 at the R. Premadasa Stadium. According to team manager SM Golam Faiyaz, Imran had been feeling dizzy for a couple of days before being taken to the hospital on Monday. After undergoing tests, including an MRI, doctors confirmed that he had suffered a minor stroke. Imran was kept under observation overnight and discharged the following day, returning to the team hotel on September 30. Despite his desire to attend training immediately after, the team management asked 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 as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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.

Women’s World Cup 2025 Trophy Tour concludes in Colombo

2 October 2025: vs Pakistan – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

7 October 2025: vs England – Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

10 October 2025: vs New Zealand – Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

13 October 2025: vs South Africa – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam

16 October 2025: vs Australia – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam

20 October 2025: vs Sri Lanka – Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai

26 October 2025: vs India – Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai

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