Pakistan opener Rizwan thanks and gifts signed jersey to Malayalee doctor who treated and got him match fit

DUBAI Nov 13: Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan’s recovery from a lung infection to make a valiant innings in the Twenty20 World Cup semi-final was termed “miraculous” on Saturday by the Indian doctor who treated him.

Rizwan, 29, came out of the intensive care unit of a Dubai hospital to top-score with 67 in Pakistan’s 176-4 on Thursday, but his efforts were in vain as Australia overhauled that total to set up a title clash with New Zealand.

Rizwan’s courage was lauded by Pakistan’s batting coach Matthew Hayden and by fans, while pictures of the batsman lying in a hospital bed went viral on social media.

Saheer Sainalabdeen, a pulmonologist who hails from Kerala, said it was Rizwan’s “faith in God” and desire to play for Pakistan that got the batsman through a severe chest infection.

Rizwan was so grateful that he sent the doctor an autographed Pakistan shirt.

Dr Saheer Sainalabdeen praised the wicket keeper batter’s indomitable spirit and courage as he battled a severe chest infection on an ICU bed.

“Mujhe Khelna he. Team ke saath rehna he, (I want to play and be with the team),” Rizwan used to say to doctors who treated him in the 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,” recalled Saheer.

Rizwan had been suffering from intermittent fever, persistent cough, and chest tightness for 3-5 days before being hospitalised.

The medical team immediately stabilized him and gave him symptomatic medications to ease his pain.

“His pain at the time of admission was 10/10. So, we subjected him for a detailed evaluation to diagnose the condition,” said Saheer. The results confirmed that the player had severe laryngeal infection leading to an esophageal spasm and bronchospasm.

It is painful contraction of muscles within the esophagus. “Esophageal spasms can feel like sudden and severe chest pain that lasts for a few minutes to hours,” said Saheer.

The medical team shifted the 29-year-old cricketer to the ICU and monitored his condition continuously. Rizwan had to manage severe pain and other issues induced by the medical condition.

“Rizwan had a severe infection. Recovery and gaining fitness before the semifinal seemed unrealistic. It would have normally taken 5-7 days for anybody to recover,” maintained Saheer.
However, the cricketer was confident and displayed tremendous willpower.

“He seemed very focused and believed in God. His only thoughts were about the semifinal,” the doctor added.

Two nights in the ICU, Rizwan responded well to symptomatic medications and showed significant improvement. HThe doctor believes various factors might have contributed to his faster recovery. “Rizwan was firm, courageous, and confident.

His physical fitness and endurance level as a sportsman had been key in his recovery.

He had been in the ICU for 35 hours” said Saheer. After being evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, Rizwan was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday around noon. The team officials were in constant touch with the medical team.

“During sporting events, we have seen players coming up with injuries. But this is the first time a player with a severe infection of this scale had recovered so quickly. “When Rizwan hit the big sixes, we were all happy. The power he has regained after the illness has been amazing.

His dedication, commitment, and courage are truly commendable,” Saheer added. A grateful Rizwan thanked the doctor and the medical team for their support and care. He also gifted a signed jersey to Saheer as a token of gratitude.

Medeor Hospital Dubai is a unit of VPS Healthcare, the group that guards the bio bubble and provides medical services for the ongoing T20 World Cup.