Suspense continues over Umar Akmal’s health

Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal has arrived here accompanied by a Pakistan Cricket Board doctor to have another check up with a leading neurologist, even as mystery continued regarding the intensity of his illness that forced him out of the Caribbean Premier League and the tour to Zimbabwe. “Umar has got an appointment with the neurologist on Wednesday and is accompanied by Dr Sohail Saleem,” a source in the board said. “We are hopeful that once this check up is completed, a clear picture will emerge about Umar’s medical condition as he has already undergone MRI scans and was examined by a Lahore based neurologist,” the source added. The youngest of the Akmal brothers was called back by the PCB from the West Indies after reports emerged that he had fallen unconscious on a flight from Trinidad to Antigua due to a seizure attack, which is normally associated with epilepsy. The incident also led the board pulling him out of the T20 and ODI series in Zimbabwe. However, Umar on returning home had told reporters he was perfectly fine and was ready to join the team in Zimbabwe, adding to the confusion about his medical condition. “The truth is that even the board medical panel got a bit confused when they saw the medical reports about Umar which were taken in the West Indies. The reports indicated he was facing a epilepsy condition in advanced stage but tests and consultations in Pakistan point otherwise,” the source said. “Indications are that Umar might be facing a mild seizure condition but this has to be reconfirmed. That’s the reason he is in Karachi,” he added.