June 23, Kathmandu – Former Afghan cricketer Shapoor Zadran passed away on Tuesday at the age of 38. Zadran had been suffering from a rare immune system disorder, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and had been undergoing treatment in the Delhi-NCR region of India for several months. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed his death through social media, expressing condolences and recognizing Zadran as one of the foundational figures in Afghan cricket.
The ACB statement said, “Shapoor Zadran was among the key personalities who laid the groundwork for Afghanistan cricket. His dedication, passion, and relentless hard work played a pivotal role in the development of cricket in the country and its progress on the international stage.”
During his international career spanning from 2009 to 2020, Zadran played 44 One Day Internationals (ODIs), taking 43 wickets, and appeared in 36 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), claiming 37 wickets. He was notably one of the heroes of Afghanistan’s historic victory against Scotland in the 2015 ODI Cricket World Cup, scoring the winning runs to secure Afghanistan’s first-ever victory in World Cup history. The ACB further stated that Zadran was not only an outstanding player but also a source of inspiration for young Afghan cricketers. His courage, perseverance, and dedication to cricket will always be remembered.
