Samiya survives critical brain surgery

Dubai: UAE women under-19 cricket team's opening bowler Samiya Saleem survived an emergency life-threatening surgery in Thailand during the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-19 tournament.

Samiya had destroyed Thailand with a four–wicket spell and guided UAE to a two–run win on December 14. In the next match against Qatar, Samiya, after trapping the opening player leg before, complained of a severe headache.

She was immediately rushed to the hospital by the ACC officials. It was diagnosed that Samiya has a cyst in her brain and was rushed her to the operation theatre.

"I was informed by the Emirates Cricket Board and they immediately rushed me to Thailand to be with her. I am so grateful to the timely help provided to my daughter," Saleem, Samiya's father, spoke to Gulf News from Thailand.

"She is still in the Intensive Care Unit [ICU] and is expected to be released after a day. The operation has been successful and the cyst has been removed," he added.

What has surprised Saleem is the fact that Samiya had never complained of any headache earlier. "She was absolutely fit and had been regularly training with the team for the last two months at the Sharjah Stadium. Even in Thailand, during the first three matches, she did not have any problem."

Samiya will be able to travel only after two weeks. "The first thing she asked me after regaining consciousness was whether UAE had won the match against Oman. When she heard we had won, she raised her hands and clapped. Frankly I cried seeing that," said a releaved Saleem.