ICC World Cup 2019: Pakistan’s Asif Ali to play despite 19-month-old daughter’s death

For the moment, Asif might fly to USA to join his family during the tough time but according to PCB, the hard-hitting batsman is certain to return on time before Pakistan’s World Cup opener against West Indies at Trent Bridge on May 31.

Pakistan middle-order batsman Asif Ali has decided to play the World Cup despite the death of his daughter on Sunday. Asif, who impressed in the recently-concluded five-match ODI series against England, was named in Pakistan’s final 15-member squad for ICC World Cup 2019.

Pakistan's Asif Ali leaves the crease after losing his wicket for 17 during the fourth One Day International (ODI) cricket match between England and Pakistan at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on May 17, 2019. (AFP)

The announcement came hours after Asif’s 19-month-old daughter lost the battle against cancer in USA.

For the moment, Asif might fly to USA to join his family during the tough time but according to PCB, the hard-hitting batsman is certain to return on time before Pakistan’s World Cup opener against West Indies at Trent Bridge on May 31.

“Asif is scheduled to be back in time for our warm-up games where we intend to play our full-strength XI, but if he cannot make it back in time for those, we will wait for him whenever he does return,” said Pakistan’s chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Pakistan is slated to play Afghanistan on May 24 in the first warm-up match.

Reacting on Asif’s selection, Inazamam said it was not easy to drop Abid Ali but Pakistan needed someone like Asif in the middle order. “Dropping Abid Ali [to make way for Asif’s selection] was a very difficult decision. But we needed a power-hitter at number 6 or 7 and Asif has done very well for us in this England series so we need him,” said Inzamam.

Asif scored 142 runs including two half-centuries in four matches against England at an impressive strike rate of 131.48.

Asif was not the only change in Pakistan’s final World Cup squad. Veteran left-arm quicks Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz were also drafted into the squad despite not being named in the provisional squad.

The selectors have axed all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and left-arm pacer Junaid Khan from their initial World Cup squad to make way for the two senior players.

Wahab, who turns 34 next month, last played a one-day international for his country in the opening match of the 2017 Champions Trophy against India going for 87 runs without a wicket and than limping off with an injury.

According to the cricket board, Aamir has recovered from his chickenpox and he and Wahab will be available for the warm-up matches against Afghanistan and Bangladesh this week.

“The lack of potency of our front-line bowlers in the recent ODI series meant that a change was needed. In addition, we now know that we will encounter batting wickets throughout the World Cup campaign,” said Inzamam

Pakistan World Cup squad: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, Muhammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (Capt), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Muhammad Aamir, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Muhammad Hasnain.

(With agency inputs)