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Pakistan cricket team rocked by tragic death of Asif Ali's daughter

Pakistan batsman Asif Ali is expected to leave the tour of England following the death of his daughter, who had been having treatment for cancer in the United States.

Ali’s Pakistan Super League team Islamabad United shared the heartbreaking news on Monday AEST.

"ISLU family pays its deepest condolences to Asif Ali on the tragic loss of his daughter,” the tweet said.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Asif and his family. Asif is a great example of strength and courage. He is an inspiration to us."

Before his departure for the limited-overs series in England, the 27-year-old 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 19-month-old daughter.

Ali had learned about his daughter's illness in March.

Islamabad United coach Dean Jones, the former Australia batsman, broke down in tears when talking about the child's condition at a press conference.

Upon hearing the news of her death, Jones joined the cricket community and Pakistani identities in paying tribute to Ali and his family.

Ali took part in Pakistan’s 54-run defeat to England on the day his daughter died.

He made 22 runs in the fifth and final one-day international at Headingley.

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.

Not included in Pakistan's preliminary squad for the Cricket World Cup, he was added to the final squad on Monday – just hours after his daughter’s death was made public.

“He is scheduled to be back in time for our warm-up games where we intend to play our full-strength XI,” chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said.

“But if he cannot make it back in time for those, we will wait for him whenever he does return.”

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

Asif Ali took part in Pakistan's ODI series against England while his daughter received treatment in the United States. Pic: Getty
Asif Ali took part in Pakistan's ODI series against England while his daughter received treatment in the United States. Pic: Getty

with AFP