Mumbai: Former South African batsman Jonty Rhodes has advised Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal to be patient and follow his doctor’s advice regarding his seizure problem.
Umar Akmal was recently diagnosed with seizures, co-related with epilepsy, a disorder that affected players like the late Tony Greig and Rhodes himself. In medical terms, the frequent attacks of seizure is called epilepsy.
Speaking exclusively over the phone from South Africa, 45-year-old Rhodes said: “Umkar Akmal has to be patient and strictly take the medication prescribed by his doctor.”
Earlier this month, the youngest of the Akmal brothers, Umar had to spend a night in the hospital after he suffered a seizure on a flight to Jamaica, where he was going to play.
“Akmal has a long cricketing career ahead of him and this disorder is curable if the proper dosage of medicine is maintained. He must look after himself,” Rhodes added.
Rhodes said: “I had a very mild form of epilepsy so didn’t have to be on medication for long. Nowadays with the medication available, you can continue living your life and never feel that you suffer from this disorder,” he signed off.
Akmal is being treated by Lahore’s renowned neurophysician Dr Atiq-Ur Rehman, who has advised that he undergo some more tests. “The seizure attack has been confirmed but the issue is not serious. It could be due to stress, lack of sleep or exhaustion. He will definitely recover with rest over a period of time,” a PCB official said.
