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Pakistan’s discarded all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez suffered a personal tragedy on the eve of his departure for Abu Dhabi with the Pakistan A squad to play in the Euro Asia Cup.

Hafeez lost his father to a long time illness on Thursday and was doubtful for the tournament but coach Rashid Khan said his family had asked him to go and play with the national side.

“Obviously he is very upset but his family feels he should go. He showed up today for the practice and hopefully he will go with us on schedule to Abu Dhabi,” he added.

Rashid has been appointed coach of the team after successfully coaching the Pakistan A side in the tour matches against England. The manager for the tour is Shafiq Ahmed Paapa.

The Pakistan A team captained by Hasan Raza plays its first match on April 25.

The second string sides from India and Sri Lanka and the national teams of Scotland, Ireland and UAE are taking part in the six nation competition.

The national selectors have picked a number of Pakistan capped players for the tournament including Taufeeq Umar, Bazid Khan, Yasir Hameed, Umar Gul, Hafeez, Misbah-ul-Haq and Yasir Arafat with other promising players like Tahir Khan, Shahid Yousuf, Mansoor Amjad and Mohammad Irshad also in the side that departs on Sunday (today) morning.

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