Former Afghanistan Fast Bowler Shapoor Zadran Dies at 38 After Prolonged Illness

Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran has passed away at the age of 38 after a prolonged battle with a rare and life-threatening illness, leaving the cricketing world in mourning. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the tragic news and paid tribute to one of the pioneers of Afghan cricket.

For several months, Zadran had been receiving treatment at a hospital in India for a rare immune system disorder known as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which causes the immune system cells to attack healthy organs. He had improved earlier in the year but his condition deteriorated in recent days, and he died a day before his 39th birthday.

The left arm bowler was considered one of the pillars on which Afghanistan’s future in international cricket was built. He played a pivotal role for Afghanistan from its emergence as a cricket nation to becoming an ICC Full Member between 2009 and 2020 in ODI and T20I cricket.

The highlight of Zadran’s career was his role in Afghanistan’s historic first-ever World Cup win against Scotland in the ICC World Cup 2015. He was one of the most recognizable faces of the fledgling Afghan cricket in his fast attack and eclectic celebrations.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has named Zhadran as one of the “foundation-laying figures” of Afghanistan cricket in an official statement, appreciating his commitment, passion, and tremendous service to the national team. The board also expressed its condolences to his family, friends, team-mates and cricket fans worldwide.