Lahore September 6, 2013: One of Pakistan’s topmost neurologists, Dr Nadir Ali Syed, to whom the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had referred him for specialist advice, has given Umar Akmal a clean bill of health – with “no restriction on physical activity or exertion” and “no need for medication or any further medical tests at this time.”
Dr Nadir Syed has diagnosed Umar Akmal “for seizure due to sleep deprivation”. According to him it was a one-off incident, a relatively common occurrence and “does not necessitate any restrictions on Mr. Akmal, other than ensuring at least 6-7 hours of sleep every night.”
The really good news for Umar Akmal is that in Dr Nadir Syed’s opinion: “There is no restriction on physical activity or exertion. There is no need for medication or any further medical tests at this time.”
The PCB hierarchy, especially Caretaker Chairman Mr. Najam Sethi, was extremely concerned at reports of Umar Akmal’s condition from the Caribbean. The PCB is now relieved at Dr Nadir’s prognosis and removal of doubts on his health. Mr. Sethi has hoped that the talented player “shall live up to his immense potential and be able to serve Pakistan cricket with distinction in the months and years to come.”
For his part, Umar Akmal has thanked the PCB for taking exceptionally good care of him in "what was a most anxiety-filled period" of his nascent career. "I am really grateful to the PCB, in particular Chairman Sethi Sahib, for being extremely caring and providing me every possible support including great personal care and counselling".
