Bhatkal Native Mohammed Safwan Shanu Laid to Rest in Dubai After Sudden Death During Cricket Match
The 38-year-old Dubai resident and passionate cricketer leaves behind his wife, four children, and a grieving community in the UAE and India.
Hundreds of relatives, friends, and community members gathered at Al Qusais Cemetery in Dubai on Monday to bid farewell to Mohammed Safwan Shanu, a 38-year-old Bhatkal native who passed away after collapsing during a routine cricket match.
Safwan, a resident of Azad Nagar, Bhatkal, had been living in the UAE for nearly 15 years. He is survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter who was born just four months ago. His parents travelled from India to Dubai to attend his final rites.
The sudden incident occurred on Sunday morning during a weekly cricket match, a tradition Safwan had followed with his friends for years. According to his close friends, Safwan was batting when he suddenly collapsed on the ground around 7:10 am.
His teammates immediately rushed to help him and called an ambulance. CPR was performed, and he was taken to the hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
“Every Sunday morning, we played cricket together. It had become a regular part of our lives,” said his friend Nabeel Karikal, who was present during the incident. He added that Safwan was completely fine the previous evening when they had gone together to buy groceries and fish from Dubai’s Waterfront Market.
Safwan had worked with a private company in Dubai for several years before starting his own business. Apart from his professional life, cricket remained his greatest passion. Friends said he was a talented batsman, had captained teams in the UAE, and received several awards for his performances in tournaments.
Community members remembered Safwan not only for his cricketing skills but also for his kind and humble personality. Muniri Atiqur Rahman, a prominent member of the Nawayath community in Dubai, said Safwan was known for maintaining strong relationships and treating everyone with warmth and respect.
“He had a special ability to make people feel like family. His sincerity and character made him loved by everyone,” Rahman said.
Fellow cricketer Mohtasim Jakti described Safwan as one of the finest batsmen from Bhatkal. He said cricket was deeply connected with Safwan’s life, from playing on the streets of Bhatkal to representing teams in Dubai.
After hearing the news of Safwan’s death, his parents wished to travel to Dubai for the funeral. With assistance from relatives and community members, their visa process was completed quickly, allowing them to attend their son’s final journey.
Safwan was also an active member of the YMSA social organisation based in Nawayath Colony, Bhatkal. His sudden passing has left friends, family, and the wider Bhatkal and UAE community in deep sorrow.