MUMBAI: Former South African batsman and brilliant fielder Jonty Rhodes has advised unfit Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal to be patient and follow the doctor’s advice to overcome his ‘mysterious’ illness.

Umar was recently diagnosed with a seizure condition which is co-related with epilepsy, a disease which also affected former Test players like the late Tony Greig and Jonty Rhodes.

In medical terms, the frequent attacks of ‘seizure’ is called epilepsy.

Speaking exclusively over his mobile from South Africa, the 45-year-old Rhodes said: “Umar Akmal is a dashing batsman and can play for many years to come.

"However, to overcome his present condition, has to be patient and strictly follow the medications prescribed by his doctor."

“A seizure is a sudden surge of vibration-creative activity in the brain. The frequency of attack is different in different people because all people have different brains,” elaborated Rhodes.

“I would like to tell Umar that this disease is curable if proper dosage of medicine is maintained. He must look after himself at this stage to prolong his career,” Rhodes added.

Rhodes said he suffered from a very mild form of epilepsy, so the illness never really threatened his career.

“I had a very mild form of epilepsy so the treatment was also of short duration and never hampered my career as such.”

Meanwhile, Umar is being treated by Lahore’s renowned neuro-physician, Dr Atiq-ur-Rehman who has advised him for some more tests.

“The ‘seizure’ attack is confirmed but the issue is not serious. May be due to stress or lack of sleep or over-playing, this may have occurred. With the passage of time and with proper rest, Umar will recover,” said a PCB official on Sunday.