Pakistan World Cup player Asif Ali speaks his mind after infant daughter's death

Pakistan batsman Asif Ali hit some crucial runs at the eleventh hour to get into the bus for the ICC World Cup but on the personal front, the 27-year-old had a tragedy that no award could console. Asif lost his two-year-old daughter Noor Fatima who was suffering from an advanced stage of cancer and died on Monday. Asif’s best moment in his career remained under the cloud of great grief. Her daughter was undergoing treatment in the US and even Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan offered condolences to the aggrieved family.

Asif was not included in the preliminary squad that Pakistan had chosen for the upcoming World Cup but his vital scores in the just-concluded ODI series against Pakistan was up to the mark. Along with two experienced fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz, Asif got into the final World Cup squad replacing the likes of Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan and batsman Abid Ali. Asif made his international debut last year and in 16 ODIs so far, he has scored 342 runs at an average of 31 or odd laced with three fifties. Of them, two came in the recent series against England in Southampton and Bristol. He played the final ODI in Leeds a day before his infant daughter’s death and scored 22. England won the series 4-0.

Asif thanks people for bring there in time of grief

On Tuesday, Asif took to Twitter to express his mind over his infant daughter’s death saying his daughter had returned to Allah and thanked all those who stood by him and the family in the time of grief.

My daughter my angle returned to Allah last night.
May Allah grant her jannat.
Thanks everyone for you support, love, messages & prayers during this tough time.

— Asif Ali (@AasifAli2018) May 20, 2019

Pakistan was among those few sides that made full use of May 23 as the deadline to finalise their World Cup squad. Regarding the chose of Asif over Abid, chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said the former bought the much-needed firepower to the side to embolden Pakistan’s chances in the tournament.

Pakistan will play their first game of the World Cup on May 31 against the West Indies at Trent Bridge. Pakistan has played the Windies 10 times in the World Cup with the Caribbeans having a 7-3 lead.

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