Umar Akmal suffers from epilepsy, plays for himself: ex-PCB chairman Najam Sethi

In a startling revelation, former PCB Chairman Najam Sethi has claimed that banned Test batsman Umar Akmal suffers from epilepsy for which he had refused to take treatment. Umar was recently slapped with a three-year ban for t reporting corrupt approaches before start of Pakistan Super League (PSL). Sethi, who was Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Head of Executive Committee between 2013 and 2018, said when he took over reins of cricket body, first problem he faced concerned Umar.

Umar suffers from epilepsy

"We had medical reports that confirmed he suffered from epilepsy fits and we called him back from West Indies. When I met him I told him it was a serious problem and he needed to take a break and get proper treatment. But he was t willing to accept this. He was mentally t re," Sethi told a TV Channel.

"Anyway I stopped him from playing for two months but later on we sent medical reports to selectors and left it to m because I didn't like to interfere in ir work."

Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abrmal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behaviour, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness. Sethi also claimed that Umar put himself above team despite being a supremely talented cricketer. "...but he refuses to accept discipline and he is an individualistic player prone to play with instinct. He plays for himself t for his team. He is outside all discipline." former official also feels three-year ban imposed on Umar would eventually end his career.

"I am afraid his career is threatened and it appears to me to be end of line for him. Umar has always been someone outside all discipline and this three-year ban was going to happen," he said. 

Im credits: AP