Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran died at the age of 38 after prolonged illness

Former fast bowler and one of the pioneers of Afghan cricket Shapoor Zadran has died at the age of 38 after a courageous battle with a rare disease. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) shared the news on social media on Tuesday, July 7, sending an outpouring of grief across the cricket community.

Zadran has been undergoing intensive medical care at a hospital in New Delhi since January. His brother Ghamai Zadran accompanied him to India along with former national captain Asghar Afghanistan after the bowler first felt unwell in his native country last October.

“It is with deep sorrow and grief that the Afghanistan Cricket Board mourns the passing away of former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran,” the ACB said in an official statement.

“Shapoor Zadran was one of the quintessential 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 one of the proud cricketers who stood at the heart of Afghanistan’s early cricketing journey and helped forge a path that brought Afghan cricket to the international stage.” Courtesy: ACB/X

The robust left-arm pacemaker battled an advanced form of hemophagocytic lymphocytic lymphocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening disorder of immune regulation in which overactive white blood cells attack the body’s own organs.

According to medical details shared by his family, Zadran’s condition was severely exacerbated by a massive, aggressive infection that ravaged his compromised immune system.

“It was a very serious infection,” Ghamai Zadran told Cricinfo earlier this year.

“His whole body was full of infection, including TB (tuberculosis). It had also spread to the brain.”

Although he briefly showed signs of recovery, allowing him to be discharged to a nearby hotel for three weeks, the relief proved short-lived. The infection returned aggressively, forcing doctors to re-admit him to the intensive care unit (ICU), where he eventually succumbed to the disease just a day before his 39th birthday.

For cricket purists, Shapoor Zadran will forever be remembered as one of the original heroes of Afghanistan’s romantic rise in international sport. Blessed with a massive frame, a wild, sweeping run and flowing black hair, he embodied the raw, unbridled passion of Afghan cricket.

His defining moment came during Afghanistan’s historic debut at the 2015 FIFA U-50 World Cup. In a thrilling, high-stakes encounter against Scotland in Dunedin, New Zealand, the defender found himself in the crease in the final of a thrilling chase. Zadran clipped the winning runs behind square leg, sparking iconic, tearful celebrations as he sprinted across the turf with arms outstretched to seal Afghanistan’s first ever World Cup victory.

“Throughout his career, Shapoor has served Afghanistan cricket with honour, courage and pride,” the ACB statement added.

“Besides his achievements on the field, Shapoor Zadran has been a true inspiration to many young Afghan cricketers and to cricket fans around the world. His fighting spirit, determination and love for the game gave hope to many and encouraged a generation to dream bigger.”

Zadran formally announced his retirement from cricket in January 2025, bringing the curtain down on a 22-year journey dedicated to the sport. After making his international debut in 2009, he represented his country in 44 ODIs and 36 T20Is. Although his last international match came in 2020, he continued to serve on the domestic circuit and played his last competitive match in 2022. He leaves behind a legacy as a fearless vanguard of Afghan sport that remains completely immortal.

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Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

07 Jul 2026 14:22 IST