Pakistan cricketer Asif Ali’s two-year-old daughter dies just days before the Cricket World Cup 

‘My angel returned to Allah last night’: Pakistan cricketer Asif Ali leaves team camp as two-year-old daughter dies of cancer days before Cricket World Cup

  • Asif Ali has suffered loss of daughter Noor Fatima days before Cricket World Cup 
  • Revealed in April that the 19-month-old girl was suffering from stage four cancer
  • She was receiving treatment in the US but passed away at the weekend 
  • Cricketing figures including Pakistan prime minister took paid tribute on Twitter
  • Batsman Ali was confirmed in Pakistan’s 15-man World Cup squad on Monday  

Pakistan batsman Asif Ali has suffered the tragic loss of his daughter just days before the start of his country’s World Cup campaign.

He revealed in April that 19-month-old Noor Fatima was battling against stage four cancer and had been receiving treatment in America, but has now passed away.

The cricketer took to Twitter to pay tribute to her, saying: ‘My daughter my angle [sic] returned to Allah last night. May Allah grant her jannat. Thanks everyone for you support, love, messages & prayers during this tough time.’

Pakistan batsman Asif Ali has suffered the death of his two-year-old daughter Noor Fatima, who was suffering from stage four cancer

The cricketer took to Twitter to pay tribute to her, saying: 'My daughter returned to Allah'

The cricketer took to Twitter to pay tribute to her, saying: ‘My daughter my angle [sic] returned to Allah last night. May Allah grant her jannat. Thanks everyone for you support, love, messages & prayers during this tough time’

The 27-year-old still intends to join his country’s squad for the forthcoming World Cup at the end of this month but will first fly out to the US for the little girl’s funeral.

A host of figures from the cricketing world, including prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, who captained his country’s 1992 World Cup winning team, paid tribute to Ali and his daughter after the news was confirmed.

Mr Khan wrote on Twitter: ‘My condolences and prayers go to Asif Ali & his family on the passing of his daughter from cancer. May Allah give them strength to bear such a precious loss.’

The 27-year-old still intends to join his country's squad for the forthcoming World Cup at the end of this month but will first fly out to the US for the little girl's funeral. Left: 19-month-old Noor Fatima receiving treatment and Asif Ali (right)

The 27-year-old still intends to join his country’s squad for the forthcoming World Cup at the end of this month but will first fly out to the US for the little girl’s funeral. Left: 19-month-old Noor Fatima receiving treatment and Asif Ali (right) 

Prime minister Imran Khan, who captained Pakistan's 1992 World Cup winners, paid tribute

Prime minister of Pakistan and cricket legend Imran Khan, who captained Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup winning team, paid tribute to Ali and his daughter after the news was confirmed

Team-mate Mohammad Amir wrote: ‘Extremely heart broken with the news of Ali’s daughter passing away my heart and duas goes out to the family may Allah pak grant them all with sabar. :(:(:’. 

Retired Australian batsman Michael Clarke joined the sentiments, saying: ‘Absolutely devastating mate. Thoughts and prayers with Ali and family’. 

Pakistan were set to take on Afghanistan and Bangladesh, in Bristol and Cardiff respectively, later this week before their World Cup opener on May 31.   

Earlier today, the star was named in the squad, replacing teammate Abid Ali in the 15-man group.   

Ali featured in every game of Pakistan’s 4-0 series defeat by England, scoring two fifties with a career best of 52 in the third One Day International at The Rose Bowl in Bristol.  

Team-mate Mohammad Amir wrote: 'Extremely heart broken with the news of Ali's daughter'

Team-mate Mohammad Amir wrote: ‘Extremely heart broken with the news of Ali’s daughter passing away my heart and duas goes out to the family may Allah pak grant them all with sabar. :(:(:’

Retired Australian batsman Michael Clarke joined sentiments, saying: 'Absolutely devastating'

Retired Australian batsman Michael Clarke joined the sentiments, saying: ‘Absolutely devastating mate. Thoughts and prayers with Ali and family

Batsman Ali and left-arm pacemen Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz were omitted from the original list a month ago, but the trio have replaced Abid Ali, Junaid Khan and Faheem Ashraf in Pakistan’s final 15-man group. 

On the selection, Inzamam-ul-Haq, chair of Pakistan men’s selection committee, said: ‘It has not been an easy decision to leave out Abid, particularly after he got only one opportunity on the tour. But, he was our third-choice opener.

‘After both the first-choice openers struck early form, we preferred Asif Ali as he brings firepower to the team that can strengthen our chances in the tournament.’  

Ali featured in Pakistan's 4-0 series defeat by England and intends to take his World Cup place

Ali featured in every game of Pakistan’s 4-0 series defeat by England. He intends to take his place in the forthcoming World Cup Squad 

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