Ex-Afghanistan Pacer Shapoor Zadran Dies at 38 After Prolonged Illness in India
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Former Afghanistan fast bowler and one of the country's cricketing pioneers, 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, who represented Afghanistan in 44 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 36 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) between 2009 and 2020, had been undergoing treatment in New Delhi after being diagnosed with stage four haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening immune disorder that can severely damage the bone marrow, liver, spleen and lymph nodes.
He had been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) since May after his condition deteriorated. According to reports, his health issues began in October last year, prompting doctors to recommend advanced treatment in India. With support from Afghanistan star Rashid Khan and ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf, his visa was expedited and he was admitted to a New Delhi hospital on January 18.
Former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan frequently travelled between Dubai and New Delhi to support Zadran during his treatment, while Rashid Khan and several other Afghan cricketers remained in constant contact with his doctors and family. Although he initially showed signs of recovery, his condition worsened due to repeated infections, dengue and a sharp decline in his red blood cell count.
Paying tribute, the Afghanistan Cricket Board said Zadran had served Afghanistan cricket with "honour, courage and pride" and that his contributions would remain an integral part of the country's cricketing history.
The board also described him as an inspiration for young Afghan cricketers, stating that his determination, resilience and passion for the game encouraged an entire generation to believe in the future of Afghanistan cricket.
Expressing condolences, the ACB said Zadran's passing was a significant loss for Afghan cricket and that his legacy would continue to inspire players and fans around the world.
