According to the Pakistan Cricket Board Doctor Najeebullah Soomro, a prohibited substance was given to cricketer Muhammad Rizwan to help him recover before the ICC T20 semifinal.
“Mohammad Rizwan developed a severe chest infection on November 9th after which he was admitted to the hospital. He spent two nights in the ICU recovering,” Pakistan’s team doctor Najeeb Somroo said.
“He made an incredible recovery and was deemed fit before the match. We can see his great determination and tenacity that shows his spirit of performing for the country. And we can see how he performed today.”
He added: “The decision regarding his health was made by the whole team management. This was regarding the morale of the whole team and therefore we kept it within the team.”
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Dr. Najeebullah added that the prior permission was taken from the ICC to give him the prohibited substance. “You were unable to breathe and I have to get permission from the International Cricket Council to inject that medicine to help you recover,” said Dr. Najeebullah while interviewing Rizwan. “Usually, it is prohibited for the athletes but since there was no other option available, we have to take permission from the ICC to inject that medicine.”
Beating all odds
Despite his illness, Muhammad Rizwan had played a tremendous knock against Australia in the semi-final. Rizwan’s 52-ball knock and his key partnerships included a 72-run second-wicket stand with Fakhar Zaman, who made an unbeaten 55, helped Pakistan to 176-4 after being invited to bat first.
Meanwhile, the Indian doctor who treated him was amazed at the grit and determination showed by Muhammad Rizwan in recovering and playing for the team.
“I want to play. I want to be with the team,” were the words Muhammad Rizwan told the doctors while being in ICU. “Rizwan had a strong desire to play for his nation in the crucial knockout match. He was strong, determined, and confident. I am astonished at the pace he had recovered,” said Dr. Saheer Sainalabdeen, a special pulmonologist at Medeor Hospital in Dubai.