Former Afghanistan cricketer Shapoor Zadran dies at 38
Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran, one of the pioneers of the country's rise in international cricket, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 38 after battling a prolonged illness. He died just a day before his 39th birthday while undergoing treatment in the Delhi-NCR region for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening immune system disorder.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the news and paid tribute to the left-arm pacer, describing him as one of the "foundation-laying figures" of Afghanistan cricket whose dedication and passion played a crucial role in taking the national team onto the global stage.
Zadran represented Afghanistan in 80 international matches between 2009 and 2020, playing 44 One-Day Internationals and 36 T20 Internationals. He claimed 43 ODI wickets and 37 T20I wickets, establishing himself as one of Afghanistan's premier fast bowlers during the team's formative years.
One of the defining moments of his career came during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he emerged as Afghanistan's leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets. He also etched his name into cricket history by hitting the winning boundary against Scotland, securing Afghanistan's first-ever World Cup victory.
Known for his fiery left-arm pace and distinctive long hair, Zadran inspired a generation of Afghan cricketers as the national team rose from the lower divisions to become a Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The ACB said his fighting spirit and commitment would remain an enduring legacy for Afghanistan cricket.
