T20 World Cup: Indian doctor who treated Pakistan batsman Rizwan says his comeback was a miracle

Abu Dhabi - The wicketkeeper, who had a severe chest infection and spent two nights in the ICU, recovered and top-scored in the semifinal against Australia

The Indian doctor, who treated Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan in the ICU, is astonished at the quick recovery made by the seriously ailing but gritty wicketkeeper-batsman, to be match-fit for the ICC T20 World Cup semis against Australia.

“Mujhe khelna hain. Team ke saath rehna hain” (I want to play. I want to be with the team), Mohammad Rizwan used to tell doctors, who treated him in the ICU. The Pakistani opener, who smashed a fifty (52-ball 67) and top-scored to steer Pakistan to 176 against Australia in the semis, had joined the team after fighting a severe chest infection and more than 30 hours 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,” said Dr Saheer Sainalabdeen, specialist pulmonologist at Medeor Hospital, Dubai, who treated the cricketer.

On November 9 at 12.30 am, Rizwan landed at the emergency department of the hospital with severe retrosternal chest pain mimicking cardiac pain and breathing difficulty. He had been suffering from intermittent fever, persistent cough and chest tightness for three-five days by then.

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

“His pain score at the time of admission was 10/10 (worst pain). So, we subjected him for a detailed evaluation to diagnose the condition,” Dr Sainalabdeen said.

The results confirmed that the player had severe laryngeal infection leading to an esophageal spasm and bronchospasm. It is a painful contraction of muscles within the esophagus.

Talking about the condition, he said: “Esophageal spasms can feel like sudden and severe chest pain that lasts for a few minutes to hours.”

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 five-seven seven days for anybody to recover,” maintained Dr Sainalabdeen.

However, the cricketer was confident and displayed tremendous willpower.

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

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ashwani@khaleejtimes.com