Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran dies aged 38

KABUL: Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran, a pioneer of the country’s historic rise on the international cricket stage, has died at the age of 38 after a prolonged illness, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said on Tuesday.

Zadran passed away at a hospital in India, where he had been undergoing treatment for several months for a rare and life-threatening autoimmune disorder, Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

A tall, fiery left-arm pacer, Zadran was a foundational pillar of Afghan cricket’s golden generation.

He represented the national side in 44 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 36 Twenty20 Internationals, playing an instrumental role in transitioning the war-torn country into a competitive cricketing nation.

“Shapoor Zadran was among the foundational figures of Afghanistan cricket,” the ACB said in a condolence statement.

“Through his dedication, hard work, and unwavering determination, he played a prominent role in the promotion and development of the sport in our country.”

Zadran made his international debut in 2009 and famously hit the winning runs against Scotland in 2015 to secure Afghanistan’s historic first-ever victory at an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

He formally announced his retirement from international cricket in January 2025 after more than two decades of service to the sport.

“He was an inspirational figure not only on the field for his performances but also off the field for young Afghan cricketers and fans worldwide,” the ACB added.

Tributes have poured in from across the global cricketing community, with former teammates and fans mourning the loss of a player who paved the way for Afghanistan’s modern cricket stars.