LAHORE - Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Friday said young batsman Umar Akmal was fit to play after undergoing medical tests following a seizure last month.
Umar, 23-year-old, was withdrawn from the limited over squad for the Zimbabwe tour after collapsing during a stint in the Caribbean league last month. The cricket board ordered Umar to undergo medical tests and on Friday declared him fit.
Interim PCB chairman Najam Sethi hoped that Umar could now ‘live up to his immense potential and be able to serve Pakistan cricket with distinction in the months and years to come’. A PCB official said that a top Pakistani neurologist Dr Nadir Ali Syed had given Umar a clean bill of health with no restriction on physical activity and no need for medication or any further medical tests.
“The report diagnosed lack of sleep. The neurologist described it as a one-off but relatively common phenomenon that does not necessitate any restrictions on him other than getting at least six to seven hours of sleep a night,” he said and added: “This is really good news for Umar. The PCB is now relieved at the prognosis and removal of doubts on his health.”
Meanwhile, Umar thanked the PCB for providing me every possible support, including great personal care and counseling. Umar, who has so far played 16 Tests, 76 one-day and 45 Twenty20 internationals, is regarded as Pakistan's most talented batsman produced in the last 10 years.
"I am really grateful to the PCB, in particular chairman Najam Sethi, for being extremely caring and providing me every possible support including great personal care and counselling,” he added.