Pakistan batsman Asif Ali’s two-year-old daughter Noor Fatima, who was fighting stage IV cancer, died at a hospital in the United States. Asif Ali is expected to leave the tour of England following the death of his daughter.
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 featured in every game of the series, scoring two fifties with a career-best of 52 in the third ODI in Bristol.
The hard-hitting Ali has scored 342 runs in 16 ODIs at an average of 31.09.
He 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.
Teams have until June 23 to name their World Cup squads.
Before his departure for the limited-overs series in England, Ali had tweeted on April 24 that he was sending his daughter to the United States for treatment.
He had also requested his fans to pray for his daughter.
Condolences poured in on Twitter when the team media manager confirmed that Asif Ali’s daughter lost her battle with cancer.
Very sad to hear about the death of cricketer Asif Ali’s daughters. I cannot imagine what he must be going through. Inna lillahi wa inna elaihi rajaoon.
Rest in Peace little angel.— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) May 20, 2019
Deeply saddened to hear about the death of @AasifAli2018 daughter May little Princess Rest In Peace Ameen
Thoughts and prayers with the family
May Allah give the family strength to overcome this loss Ameen 🙏#AsifAli pic.twitter.com/vhkE9q0gVK— Shahjhan Malik (@shahjhan_malikk) May 20, 2019
Very saddened by the news of the death of #AsifAli ‘s daughter…. may her soul rest in peace…. she just lost her fight with cancer…. unbearable loss for the father @AasifAli2018 and his family 😥. pic.twitter.com/CXQF4KGVym
— Nida Mirza (@NidaMirza17) May 20, 2019
Inna lillahi wa Inna Ilehi Rajioon… deeply saddened to know the death of #AsifAli ‘s little princess. May Allah Pak grant sabr e jameel to the parents who have lost their fruit (daughter). Aameen pic.twitter.com/RgRake8m23
— Syeda Bushra Aamir (@BushraAamir) May 20, 2019
