Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran passes away at 38
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New Delhi: Former Afghanistan fast bowler and one of the pioneers of the country's rise in international cricket, Shapoor Zadran, passed away in India on Tuesday after a prolonged illness, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed. He was 38 and would have turned 39 on Wednesday.
Zadran represented Afghanistan in 44 One-Day Internationals and 36 Twenty20 Internationals between 2009 and 2020. He had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in New Delhi after being diagnosed with stage four haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening disorder that causes severe inflammation and can damage the bone marrow, liver, spleen and lymph nodes. He had been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) since May.
His health problems began in October last year, following which doctors advised him to seek advanced treatment in India. With the support of Afghanistan star Rashid Khan and Afghanistan Cricket Board Chairman Mirwais Ashraf, his visa was expedited, enabling him to be admitted to a New Delhi hospital on January 18.
Former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan regularly travelled between Dubai and New Delhi to support Zadran during his treatment. Rashid Khan and several other Afghanistan cricketers also remained in constant contact with his doctors and family throughout his illness. Although Zadran initially showed signs of recovery, his condition later worsened due to repeated infections, dengue and a sharp decline in his red blood cell count.
Paying tribute, the Afghanistan Cricket Board said, "Throughout his career, Shapoor served Afghanistan cricket with honour, courage and pride. His contributions and achievements will always remain an important part of the history of Afghanistan cricket, and his efforts in the service of the national team will never be forgotten."
The board also praised Zadran's influence beyond the cricket field, describing him as an inspiration to young Afghan cricketers and cricket fans around the world.
"Beyond his achievements on the field, Shapoor Zadran was a true source of inspiration for many young Afghan cricketers and for cricket followers across the world. His fighting spirit, determination and love for the game gave hope to many and encouraged a generation to dream bigger and believe in the future of Afghanistan cricket," the board said.
Extending its condolences, the ACB added, "The Afghanistan Cricket Board extends its heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to his family, friends, loved ones, former teammates and the entire Afghan cricket community. His loss is deeply felt, and his memory will forever remain alive in the hearts of the people of Afghanistan and the cricketing world. May his soul rest in eternal peace."
With IANS inputs