Shapoor Zadran, the former Afghanistan left-arm fast bowler regarded as one of the men who built the national side’s rise, has died following a prolonged illness.
Illness and treatment
Zadran was being treated at a hospital in New Delhi after being diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening immune disorder. He had been in hospital since January and was readmitted when his condition worsened after an early period of recovery.
His brother Dawlat Zadran paid tribute online, writing that he was heartbroken at the loss of a dear friend and brother and that words could not capture it.
A pioneering career
Zadran made his international debut for Afghanistan in 2009 and played his last game in 2020. In all he turned out in 80 matches, taking 43 wickets in ODIs and 37 in T20Is. He appeared at three ICC Men’s T20 World Cups and was part of the squad that made Afghanistan’s first appearance at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
That tournament produced the defining moment of his career. Afghanistan beat Scotland by one wicket in Dunedin for their first World Cup win, and Zadran, better known for his bowling, kept his nerve to hit the winning runs.
Retirement and tributes
When he announced his retirement in January 2025, Zadran spoke about realising his childhood dream of playing for Afghanistan and his pride at helping cricket grow in the country. The Afghanistan Cricket Board also thanked him at the time, describing him as a key figure in the nation’s rise in international cricket.
His passion and dedication are likely to be remembered for generations of Afghan cricket.
