Daughter of Pakistan's Asif Ali loses cancer battle in US

LAHORE – Pakistan batsman Asif Ali is expected to leave the tour of England following the death of his daughter, who had been fighting stage IV cancer in a United States hospital.

The two-year-old Noor Fatima, who touched many hearts, was shifted to the US for treatment last month.

Asif Ali was the part of Pakistan cricket team squad for England series.

Before leaving for England the 27-year-old batsman had tweeted that "My daughter is fighting the stage IV cancer and we are taking her to US for her treatment."

https://twitter.com/AasifAli2018/status/1120308447663271936

He had thanked the US authorities for issuing a visa to his daughter "within an hour." He had also requested his fans to pray for his daughter.

Condolences poured in as soon the Pakistan Cricket Team Media Manager confirmed that the little princes (Asif Ali's daughter) lost her battle with cancer late Sunday.

https://twitter.com/76Shadabkhan/status/1130232263789154305

A statement issued by Islamabad United, the team Asif plays for in the Pakistan Super League, 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.”

https://twitter.com/IsbUnited/status/1130233300721782785

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 15-man squad for the tournament.

Teams have until May 23 to name their final World Cup squads.