'Experienced' Sachin Tendulkar feels Asif Ali’s huge loss ahead of World Cup

Losing a near one is devastating for any living being on earth and humans are no exceptions. And especially when such tragedies occur in the life of a player during a World Cup, one can well feel how painful it is. Pakistan batsman Asif Ali lost his two-year-old daughter to cancer just weeks ahead of the ICC World Cup starting May 30. Asif went to the US where his child was receiving treatment before leaving for England on Saturday. He left an emotional note thanking all for the support before heading for Mission World Cup.

Tendulkar had lost his father in the mid of 1999 World Cup; came back to slam a ton

Former India batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar empathised with Asif for no one can perhaps better understand the Pakistan batsman’s pain. It was in the middle of another World Cup in same England when Sachin had lost his father Ramesh Tendulkar. The man had returned home to attend the final rituals but was asked by his mother to go back and take his stance at the World Cup again.

Tendulkar returned and in the very next game against Kenya in Bristol, he smashed 140 not out in just 101 deliveries to give India a much-needed 94 run win. Tendulkar had missed the previous game which was against Zimbabwe that India lost by three runs and had to win the remaining matches in the group.

On Friday, the 46-year-old was quoted as saying: “The loss of an immediate family member devastates. I express my heartfelt condolences to Asif Ali, his wife & other family members. Such losses are irreparable & Asif is bound to keep thinking of his late daughter even when he’s back in England for the World Cup.”

Asif got a place in the Pakistan squad when the final changes were made last week. He scored two fifties in the recent ODI series against England and replaced Abid Ali in the preliminary squad.

Pakistan will play the West Indies in their opening campaign in the World Cup against the West Indies at Trent Bridge next Friday, a day after the mega event kicks off.

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