UAE: Tributes pour in for resident who died after playing cricket match in Sharjah

The Indian expat lived in the Emirates for the past 15 years and is survived by his wife and two sons

Read more…

The UAE’s cricket community is in shock as they mourn the sudden death of Mandeep Singh, who was hailed as a “fantastic all-rounder” and the “best teammate ever.” His team members find it hard to accept that he is no longer with them and are reeling from what happened on Thursday (June 20) night.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Vision Cricket Ground management said that the Sharjah ground was rented for an ongoing tournament and hosted three matches on Thursday. The Dubai Super Kings (DSK) played a three-hour T22 match against the Titans from 8.30pm until 11.50pm.

According to the DSK team, during the second innings of the match, the captain approached Mandeep to bowl the 17th over, but he declined, complaining of discomfort. He requested to retire from the game and proceeded to lie down on the other side of the ropes. Suspecting exhaustion, his teammates fanned him so he could cool down. They also served him energy drinks, juices, and candies. After 10-15 minutes, the expat in his 40s said he felt better but decided not to return to the field.

When the match was over, Mandeep hitched a ride with his teammates and headed home to Al Nahda 2, Dubai. Barely 10km from the stadium, as they reached the Sharjah-Nazwa Road, the Indian expat again complained of uneasiness and shortness of breath. He then started gasping for breath and collapsed inside the car.

His DSK teammates safely parked the car and laid him on the ground to perform CPR on him while another called for an ambulance at around 12.13am. They were instructed to remain where they had parked.

Once the emergency team arrived, they tried to revive Mandeep with CPR and defibrillation, according to his teammates. They then rushed him to Al Daid Hospital, where the doctors had declared him dead.

Mandeep Singh. Photo: FB/Superfix Sports

Although it is suspected that he suffered from heat exhaustion, the exact cause of Mandeep’s death remains unknown, pending details from the forensic department. His body will be handed over to his family after the report and police clearance.

Originally from Mumbai, Mandeep is survived by his wife and two sons. He lived in the UAE for the past 15 years, working for a Dubai-based airline company. His colleagues and teammates have come forward to support the grieving family and finalise all the formalities.

As news of Mandeep’s death spread among cricketing enthusiasts in the UAE, players who shared the field with him paid heartfelt tribute to their beloved teammate and friend.

One team member, who requested anonymity, said, “He was a fantastic, humble, and energetic guy. He often played two to three times a week and was enthusiastic about sports, especially cricket. He was our go-man with the ball and the bat. He was also quite fit, and I have never heard him complain about any issues. What happened on Thursday night was a shocker, and we cannot accept that Mandeep is no more.”

Another DSK cricketer said, “He was a gem of a person, and we are all devastated to lose such a mate and a senior team member. He played for several teams and was a complete all-around team player who never had any disputes with anyone. He was a true sportsman and a complete player. May he rest in peace, and may his family find strength in this difficult time.”

A player, who was in the vehicle when Mandeep collapsed, was shaken from the incident and was at a loss when Khaleej Times reached out to him. “We are devastated and heartbroken. I cannot express my feelings right now,” he said.

Naveed Ahmed, Chairman of Superfix Sports, which organises cricket tournaments across the UAE, offered his condolences and said, “It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the untimely passing of Mandeep Singh, a dedicated player in various cricket leagues across the UAE.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mandeep’s family, friends, and the entire cricket community affected by this loss. May Mandeep Singh rest in peace.

“This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of prioritising health and well-being in sports. I urge all players to stay hydrated, take necessary breaks, and listen to their bodies.”

Cricket is often played in hot conditions for many hours across all formats (Test, One Day and T20), making it essential to protect players from dehydration, heat stress, and sun damage.

While many UAE residents consider physical activity crucial for maintaining good health, ensuring safety as activity levels increase is also important.

According to a Sports Medicine Australia report on Hot Weather Guidelines, it is critical for individuals who have not been regularly active or have not participated in sports recently to ensure safety and minimise the risk of injury or harm when they start or increase their level of physical activity.

The report included in the Melbourne University Sport mentioned that at any time, high-intensity exercise in a hot environment, with the associated elevation of body temperature, can lead to heat illness. Heat illness in sports presents as heat exhaustion or the more severe heat stroke.

To avoid heat exhaustion, people should immediately cease their activity and take a rest the moment they feel unwell during exercise. A further benefit comes if the rest is in a shaded area with some passing breeze (from a fan if necessary) and the person takes extra hydration. Misting or spraying with water can also help.

This is a potentially fatal condition and must be treated immediately. It should be assumed that any collapsed athlete is in danger of heat stroke. The best first aid measures are “Strip/Soak/Fan”:

The aim is to reduce body temperature as quickly as possible. The athlete should immediately be referred for treatment by a medical professional.

Dehydration is fluid loss which occurs during exercise, mainly due to perspiration and respiration. It makes an athlete more susceptible to fatigue and muscle cramps. Inadequate fluid replacement before, during and after exercise will lead to excessive dehydration and may lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

To avoid dehydration, Sports Medical Australia recommended that: