Yuvraj Singh Leads Tributes After Death of Afghanistan’s Shapoor Zadran
Yuvraj Singh paid tribute to Shapoor Zadran, who died in Delhi while being treated for HLH, calling him a true pioneer of Afghanistan cricket.
By SportCricket Desk · 8 Jul 2026 · 2 min read
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has offered condolences after the death of Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran in Delhi.
Illness
Zadran had been treated in New Delhi for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening condition of the immune system. His death was confirmed by his brother Ghamai Zadran, who had stayed with him since he entered a Delhi hospital earlier this year.
Yuvraj’s message
Posting on X, Yuvraj said it is always painful to lose someone who gave so much to the game. He called Zadran a true pioneer of Afghan cricket whose passion and commitment would be remembered, and extended sympathies to his family and the wider Afghanistan cricket community.
Career
The left-arm seamer debuted in 2009 and played for his country until retiring in 2020. Known for his height, pace and fighting spirit, he became one of Afghanistan’s most influential quicks and also mentored young players, Rashid Khan among them.
Across 11 years he played 44 ODIs and 36 T20Is. At the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Afghanistan’s first, he was the team’s leading wicket-taker with 10. He also played in four ICC Men’s T20 World Cups between 2010 and 2016, taking nine wickets in nine games.
Visits during his illness
In recent months captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, head coach Richard Pybus and team-mates Qais Ahmad and Zia Sharif visited Zadran in New Delhi while Afghanistan were touring India. Rashid Khan, former captain Asghar Afghan and others in the Afghan cricket community also stayed in touch with him.
