Monday 24 / August / 2026
MUSCAT: The fatal collapse of a 35-year-old expatriate Indian cricketer on the field in Muscat has renewed concerns over sudden cardiac death among sportspersons, with specialists urging both amateur and professional players to undergo medical screening and ensure their bodies are properly conditioned before strenuous activity.
The death of Shabeer Basheer, who collapsed while playing a tennis-ball cricket match in Al Hail on Friday, has once again highlighted the potentially hidden cardiac risks associated with intense physical exertion. While the exact cause of Shabeer’s death has not been publicly established, doctors say apparently healthy sportspersons can have undetected heart conditions that may remain silent until triggered by strenuous activity.
‘Don’t assume fitness means safety’
Leading sports injury consultant Dr E B S Ramanathan (Ram Sethu) said some sudden collapses could be linked to underlying heart conditions that had not previously been detected.
“Such incidents could be caused by cardiomyopathy, which could lead to heart failure. There could have been a prevailing condition that has not been detected in the player. This is why it is very important to go for medical examinations for amateur and professional sportspersons,” he said.
Dr Sethu said one of the important conditions associated with sudden cardiac death in athletes is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick and may struggle to pump blood effectively.
His advice is particularly relevant to amateur players who may participate in competitive matches without undergoing the same level of medical assessment and fitness preparation expected of professional athletes.
‘Several factors can trigger collapse’
Internal medicine specialist Dr Dilip Kumar Singvi said sudden collapse and death during physical activity are generally referred to as sudden cardiac death (SCD).
“Sudden collapse, especially on play fields, is happening very often. These are named SCD, sudden cardiac death,” he said.
Dr Singvi said SCD has traditionally been associated with undiagnosed genetic, structural or electrical disorders of the heart. These include conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, ion-channel disorders and coronary artery abnormalities.
He also highlighted myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, which can follow viral infections and potentially leave the heart vulnerable during strenuous exercise.
Singvi said: “Lifestyle changes are another concern, particularly among people in the 25-40 age group. Lack of regular exercise, unhealthy eating habits and increasing weight can contribute to premature heart disease.
“At the same time, suddenly pushing the body into intense physical activity without adequate preparation can also be dangerous.”
The internal medicine specialist added: “Overexerting the body with overzealous exercise and sports is also one of the leading factors, stressing the importance of conditioning before intensive physical training.”
Dr Singvi said stress and anxiety can also contribute to changes in the body’s metabolic and hormonal functions.
‘Screening can help detect hidden risks’
He said prevention and early detection remain important, particularly for people with a family history of heart disease.
“Prevention is the cure,” he said, adding that early screening could go a long way towards preventing such episodes.
Dr Singvi said current recommendations call for screening to begin at around 35 years of age, making medical assessment particularly relevant for players in this age group who regularly participate in competitive or high-intensity recreational sport.
Shabeer’s death raises concern
Shabeer collapsed while playing for Jiffnain Challengers at a ground in Al Hail on Friday morning.
Fellow players said he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors provided emergency treatment, including CPR but could not be saved.
Shabeer, from Thuravoor in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, had lived in Oman for around 14 years and worked for Electroman LLC. He is survived by his wife, who works at a private hospital, and their child.
His body was subsequently repatriated to India after the necessary formalities were completed.
The incident has also brought renewed attention to similar cases involving sportspersons in Oman in recent years. Reports of amateur cricketers and a badminton player collapsing during sporting activity have emerged previously.
Unverified reports indicate that several such deaths may have occurred over the past five years, although no official consolidated figure was available.
A club owner said there was a need for greater awareness among players and organisers and that plans were being considered to work with Oman Cricket, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and hospitals on an awareness initiative.
For doctors, the message is clear: sporting activity is beneficial, but regular health checks, awareness of family medical history and proper physical conditioning can be crucial in identifying risks before they turn into tragedy.
