Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran passed away on Tuesday (July 8) at the age of 38 following a prolonged illness. Zadran had been battling Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare immune system disorder, and had been undergoing treatment in the Delhi-NCR region for the past few months.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the heartbreaking news in a statement on X, paying tribute to one of the pioneers of Afghan cricket.
“Shapoor Zadran was one of the foundation-laying figures of Afghanistan cricket, whose dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment played a vital role in the rise and development of the game in our country. He was among the proud cricketers who stood at the heart of Afghanistan’s early cricket journey and helped build the path that brought Afghan cricket to the international stage,” the ACB said.
Zadran represented Afghanistan for over a decade, featuring in 44 ODIs and 36 T20Is between 2009 and 2020. The left-arm pacer claimed 43 wickets in ODIs and 37 wickets in T20Is, playing a crucial role in Afghanistan’s emergence as a competitive force in international cricket.
One of the most memorable moments of his career came during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, when he struck the winning runs in Afghanistan’s historic victory over Scotland—the nation’s first-ever World Cup win.
Paying further tribute, the ACB said: “Beyond his achievements on the field, Shapoor Zadran was a true source of inspiration for many young Afghan cricketers and cricket followers across the world. His fighting spirit, determination, and love for the game gave hope to many and encouraged a generation to dream bigger and believe in the future of Afghanistan cricket.”
