Pakistan batsman Asif Ali’s two-year-old daughter died on Sunday night. She was being treated for cancer in the United States. The cricketer is expected to leave the tour of England. Ali tweeted on social media last month that his daughter was being flown to the US for treatment. He asked everyone to pray for her.
Earlier on Sunday, the 27-year-old Ali made 22 during Pakistan’s 54-run defeat by England in the fifth and final one-day international at Headingley – a loss that saw England take the series 4-0 after the opening match was washed out. Ali was not included in Pakistan’s preliminary squad for the World Cup in England, which starts later this month, but that would not prevent him being selected in the final 15-man squad for the tournament.
A statement issued by Islamabad United, the team Asif plays for in the Pakistan Super League, late Sunday said: “ISLU family pays its deepest condolences to @AasifAli2018 on the tragic loss of his daughter. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Asif & his family. Asif is a great example of strength & courage. He is an inspiration to us.”
Other people reacted to the news and expressed their condolences to the cricketer and his family.
Ali had learned about his daughter’s illness during the fourth season of the PSL, with Islamabad United coach Dean Jones, the former Australia batsman, breaking down in tears when talking about the child’s condition.
