Asif Ali leaves for England to rejoin Pakistan team for World Cup

Pakistan batsman Asif Ali headed to England on Saturday to play in the World Cup after the cricketer had returned to Pakistan following his daughter's death.

“Leaving today to join Pakistan team in UK for our Cricket World Cup journey. We as a team will be in need of your prayers & unconditional support. These are the final few lines for my princess Dua Fatima. Meri beti k liye dua or Fateha ki darkhwast hai. Aap sab k liye duaaain!,” the cricketer tweeted. 

Ali’s daughter passed away last week, after battling stage four cancer. Despite his daughter’s illness, Ali had made himself available for the national team and was included in the squad for the England series.

In April Ali had announced on Twitter that his daughter was battling cancer and was being taken to the United States for treatment.

The 27-year-old Ali was initially not named in Pakistan’s World Cup squad but made the 17-man group for the series in England where the middle-order batsman hit two half-centuries in four innings.

He was, however, included in Pakistan’s final 15-member squad for the World Cup which begins on May 30.

Pakistan begin their World Cup campaign against West Indies on May 31.