Grieving Asif rejoins Pakistan squad after daughter’s funeral

Grieving Pakistan cricketer Asif Ali on Saturday left for England to join up with his country’s World Cup squad following the funeral of his daughter, who he said will continue to be his strength and inspiration.

Asif left the team’s tour of England and returned toPakistan following the death last Sunday of 19-month-old Dua Fatima, who hadbeen receiving cancer treatment in the United States.

   

She was buried in the Punjab province city of Faisalabad onThursday.

“I want to remember Dua Fatima as a warrior,”tweeted 27-year-old Asif.

“She was my strength and inspiration. The fragrance ofher memories is going to stay with me forever.”

“I again request you all to pray for the soul of myprincess. Thanks again for being there for me.”

Middle-order batsman Asif was not named in the preliminarysquad for the World Cup but was called up after hitting two half-centuries inthe ODI series against England, which Pakistan lost 4-0.

He will be available for Pakistan’s second warm-up matchagainst Bangladesh in Cardiff on Sunday.

Asif called on Pakistan fans to support the side, who opentheir World Cup campaign with a match against the West Indies in Nottingham onFriday.”We as a team will be in need of yourprayers and unconditional support.”

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