World ( The cow news digital ) Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran has died at the age of 38 after a prolonged illness, marking the end of the career of one of the country’s pioneering international cricketers.
According to media reports, Zadran passed away in a hospital in New Delhi on July 7, just one day before what would have been his 39th birthday. He had been receiving intensive medical treatment for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening immune system disorder.
Standing over six feet tall, Zadran was widely recognized for his aggressive left-arm fast bowling and his trademark long flowing hair. He played a significant role during the formative years of Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket and was regarded as one of the team’s leading pace bowlers.
Before representing Afghanistan on the global stage, Zadran spent part of his early life as a refugee in Pakistan, where he developed his cricketing skills in Peshawar. During that period, he shared the field with several future Afghan stars, including Mohammad Nabi, Asghar Afghan, and Dawlat Zadran, who would later help shape Afghanistan’s emergence as a competitive cricket nation.
Zadran made his international debut during a transformative period for Afghan cricket and went on to represent his country in 44 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 36 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) between 2009 and 2020.
Known for his ability to generate pace and bounce, he delivered several memorable performances throughout his international career and contributed to Afghanistan’s qualification for major ICC tournaments. His passion, determination, and fighting spirit made him a respected figure among teammates and cricket supporters alike.
Tributes have begun pouring in from the cricket community, with former teammates, fans, and officials remembering Zadran for his commitment to Afghan cricket and his contribution to the sport during its most important developmental years.
His passing is being widely mourned across Afghanistan and the broader cricketing world, where he is remembered as one of the players who helped establish the country’s reputation in international cricket.
Shapoor Zadran leaves behind a legacy as one of Afghanistan’s early cricketing heroes, whose performances inspired a new generation of fast bowlers and contributed significantly to the nation’s remarkable journey in world cricket.
