Heartbreaking scenes from the former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran’s funeral on Thursday showed star spinner Rashid Khan, wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and several other Afghanistan cricketers breaking down as they bid farewell to their former teammate. His teammates, friends and family gathered to pay their last respects following his death after a prolonged illness.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Thursday confirmed Zadran;’s death at the age of 38. The former left-arm pacer had been undergoing treatment in New Delhi after being diagnosed with stage four haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening disorder that causes severe inflammation and can affect the bone marrow, liver, spleen and lymph nodes. He had remained admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) since May.
According to available information, Zadran’s health complications began in October last year, following which doctors advised him to seek advanced medical treatment in India.
With support from Rashid Khan and ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf, his medical visa was expedited, allowing him to be admitted to a hospital in New Delhi on January 18.
Former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan also frequently travelled between Dubai and New Delhi to remain by Zadran’s side during his treatment.
Although he initially responded positively, his health later deteriorated due to repeated infections, dengue and a significant drop in his red blood cell count.
Shapoor Zadran represented Afghanistan in 44 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 36 T20 Internationals between 2009 and 2020.
Paying tribute, the Afghanistan Cricket Board said Zadran served the national team with “honour, courage and pride.”
The board stated that his contribution to Afghanistan cricket would always remain an important part of the country’s sporting history.
It also described him as an inspiration for young cricketers, saying his determination and passion for the game encouraged an entire generation to dream big and believe in Afghanistan’s future on the international stage. The ACB extended its condolences to Zadran’s family, friends, former teammates and the wider cricket community, saying his memory would continue to live on in the hearts of cricket fans.