Umar’s ‘childish’ claims create ruckus

PCB official says batsman will undergo thorough check-up with neurologists.

KARACHI: A day after Pakistan left for their tour of Zimbabwe, batsman Umar Akmal triggered controversy by claiming that he was completely fit and had evidence to prove it.

Umar, who served dual roles as wicket-keeper and batsman during the team’s Carribean tour, was retained for the same positions for the Zimbabwe series starting with a Twenty20 game on August 23 in Harare.

However, the PCB replaced the middle-order batsman last week with wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed, terming him ‘medically unfit’, with other reports suggesting that Umar had suffered a seizure during the ongoing Caribbean Premier League.

But the batsman, who returned yesterday from the West Indies, denied having physical troubles.

“I am completely fit,” said Umar upon his return from the Caribbean.  “I have the doctor’s report to confirm this. I will meet the PCB chairman and show him the reports after which I will address a press conference.

“I request the media not to run such things without a confirmation as it hurts my family.”

He also appeared at the National Cricket Academy for training purposes.



However, a senior PCB official, while confirming to The Express Tribune that Umar had fainted from a seizure during a flight to Jamaica, termed the cricketer’s statement ‘childish’.

“We were in close contact with the doctors in Jamaica, and after being informed of his medical condition, we immediately called him back,” said the official.

“The PCB made the decisions in light of reports obtained from the Caribbean.

“The seriousness of the situation can be gauged from the fact that a doctor accompanied Umar from Jamaica to Dubai because it wasn’t deemed safe for him to take the flight alone.

“It’s childish behaviour on his part as he is unaware of the seriousness of a seizure which could occur again.

“We have explained to him the nature of our decision and hopefully he will not come up with such a statement again,” said the official, adding that the batsman was also told off for going to the media without the board’s permission — this is a must for a centrally-contracted player.

PCB to form panel of neurologists

The official added that the PCB would conduct a thorough check-up of the batsman before giving out an official statement.

“Umar will undergo an MRI this evening [yesterday]. Then we will form a panel of neurologists and act according to their suggestion before shedding light on it publicly in a couple of days’ time.”

Action unlikely against trio

The PCB seemed unlikely to take action against fast-bowlers Junaid Khan, Anwar Ali and Asad Ali who attended a dance show in a Lahore theatre just hours before the team’s departure to Zimbabwe.

Just prior to the new manager Moin Khan’s warnings of causing indiscipline, the trio was mocked as a television channel showed their footage while enjoying the show. However, a PCB official said attending a theatre, which is normal in Lahore, was not a disciplinary breach, and ruled out any action against the cricketers.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2013.

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