Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran dies a day before his 39th birthday

Shapoor Zadran, the former Afghanistan fast-bowler who was admitted in a Delhi hospital with a long-standing illness, passed away at the age of 38 on Tuesday, July 7. Zadran had been battling Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) for the last few months of his life and was due to celebrate his 39th birthday on July 8.

Zadran’s younger brother Ghamai Zadran, who was with the former speedster in Delhi for his treatment, confirmed the news. Zadran had a late-stage HLH, one of the rare diseases in which the immune system begins to break down.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) issued a statement, saying it was saddened by the tragic death of their former fast-bowler, who appeared in 80 internationals for the national team. "The Afghanistan Cricket Board is deeply saddened to announce the passing of former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran," the board said in a statement.

Zadran was a key player in helping lay the foundation for Afghanistan’s recent rise in cricket. The Board remembered the 6’2″ tall fast bowler for his contribution to the team. “Shapoor Zadran was a pioneering figure of Afghanistan cricket whose hard work, dedication and tireless devotion played a significant part in the rise and development of the game in our country. He was one of the proud cricketers who stood at the centre of Afghanistan’s early cricket journey and helped lay the path that took Afghan cricket to the international stage.”

“Throughout his career, Shapoor has served Afghanistan cricket with honour, courage and pride. His services for the national team will never be forgotten and his contributions and achievements will always remain an important part of Afghanistan cricket history. Besides his exploits on the field, Shapoor Zadran was an inspiration for many young Afghan cricketers and cricket followers across the world. His fighting spirit, his determination and his love for the game inspired many and encouraged a generation to dream bigger and believe in the future of Afghanistan cricket.

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board offers its heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, former teammates and the entire Afghan cricket community. "His loss will be greatly felt and he will be remembered in the hearts of the people of Afghanistan and the cricketing world," it added.

Zadran was born in Logar Province of Afghanistan, but moved to Peshawar in Pakistan because of a war in the region. He honed his skills at the Arbab Niaz Stadium and Gymkhana and took to leather-ball cricket in 2001. He initially wanted to play for Pakistan but switched back to Afghanistan when former Pakistan cricketer Iqbal Sikander started coaching in Afghanistan.