Bangladesh women’s head coach Sarwar Imran was on the boundary for the seven-wicket win over Pakistan barely 72 hours after suffering what doctors called a “minor” stroke. The 66-year-old fell ill on Monday in Colombo, spent a single night in hospital, and was discharged on Tuesday morning. By Wednesday he was running a gentle training session; on Thursday he watched every ball of the World Cup opener, mostly from inside the dressing-room rather than the open dug-out.
Team manager SM Golam Faiyaz said the coach forced the quick return for the sake of the squad. “He didn’t want the players to be discouraged,” Faiyaz told reporters. “The doctor has said to keep an eye on him, and we are doing all that. But he’s feeling better.”
Medical staff remain cautious, and Imran’s workload is being managed. Even so, he is expected to board the team’s charter flight on Friday morning for the long hop from Colombo, the tournament’s southernmost venue, to Guwahati in the far north-east. Bangladesh face England there on Tuesday.
The side looked settled against Pakistan, chasing 178 with five overs spare, and players spoke afterwards of the “calming presence” their coach offers. Yet Imran’s swift return raises familiar questions about support structures around senior coaches, particularly when tournaments demand criss-cross travel and tight turnarounds. Bangladesh Cricket Board officials say a second physio has been added to the tour party and rest days will be enforced.
For now, the coach appears comfortable, greeting journalists with a short wave and a smile as he left the ground. The squad, one player admitted off-mic, “just feel better when he’s around”.
