Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran, one of the pioneers of the country’s rise in international cricket, has died at the age of 38 after a prolonged battle with a rare illness.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced his death on Tuesday, July 7, triggering tributes from across the cricketing world.
Zadran had been receiving treatment at a hospital in New Delhi since January after being diagnosed with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening immune disorder. He was accompanied to India by his brother, Ghamai Zadran, and former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan after first falling ill in Afghanistan last October.
Announcing his passing, the ACB described Zadran as one of the architects of Afghanistan cricket. “With profound grief and deep sorrow, the Afghanistan Cricket Board mourns the passing of former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran.”
The board said Zadran’s dedication and commitment played a key role in laying the foundations of Afghan cricket and helping the national team earn recognition on the international stage.
RARE ILLNESS AND LONG BATTLE
Zadran’s family had earlier revealed that he was suffering from an advanced form of HLH, a disorder in which the body’s immune system becomes overactive and attacks healthy organs. His condition was further complicated by a severe infection that spread throughout his body, including tuberculosis that reached his brain.
“It was a very serious infection. His whole body was full of the infection, including TB. It also spread to his brain,” his brother Ghamai Zadran had told ESPNcricinfo earlier this year. Although he briefly recovered enough to leave the hospital for a few weeks, the infection returned, forcing him back into intensive care. He died on Monday, a day before his 39th birthday.
A PIONEER OF AFGHAN CRICKET
A tall left-arm fast bowler known for his energetic run-up and fiery spells, Zadran was among the first generation of cricketers who helped transform Afghanistan from an emerging associate nation into a full member of international cricket.
One of the defining moments of his career came during the 2015 ODI World Cup, when Afghanistan registered its maiden World Cup victory by defeating Scotland in Dunedin. Batting at No. 11, Zadran struck the winning runs, sparking emotional celebrations that became one of the most memorable images in Afghanistan’s sporting history.
Paying tribute, the ACB said:
“Throughout his career, Shapoor served Afghanistan cricket with honour, courage and pride.”
The board added that his fighting spirit and dedication inspired a generation of young Afghan cricketers to dream bigger.
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
Zadran announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in January 2025, ending a career that spanned more than two decades. He made his international debut in 2009 and represented Afghanistan in 44 One-Day Internationals and 36 T20 Internationals. His last international appearance came in 2020, while his final competitive domestic match was in 2022.
Remembered as one of the trailblazers of Afghanistan cricket, Shapoor Zadran leaves behind a legacy that extends well beyond his statistics, having played a pivotal role in the country’s remarkable rise on the global stage.
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