Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran passed away in New Delhi on Tuesday, 8 July 2025 following a prolonged battle with a rare and life-threatening condition, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed. He was 38 and would have turned 39 on Wednesday.

The Illness and Final Days

Zadran had been diagnosed with stage four haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare disorder that triggers severe systemic inflammation and can damage the bone marrow, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. His health began to deteriorate in October 2024, after which doctors recommended advanced treatment abroad.

With critical 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 18 January 2025. He had been in the intensive care unit (ICU) since May. Despite initial signs of improvement, his condition worsened due to repeated infections, dengue, and a sharp decline in red blood cell count.

A Career That Shaped Afghan Cricket

Zadran represented Afghanistan in 44 ODIs and 36 T20Is between 2009 and 2020, making him one of the earliest and most recognisable faces of Afghan cricket's rise on the international stage. A left-arm fast bowler known for his raw pace and fierce determination, he was part of the generation that helped Afghanistan earn full ICC membership.

Notably, his career spanned Afghanistan's most transformative years in cricket — from Associate status to Test nation — making him not just a player but a symbol of the country's cricketing ambition.

Support From the Cricketing Community

Former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan regularly travelled between Dubai and Delhi to be by Zadran's side during treatment. Rashid Khan and several other Afghan cricketers remained in constant contact with his doctors and family throughout his hospitalisation.

The outpouring of support underscored the deep bonds within Afghanistan's tight-knit cricketing community, which has repeatedly rallied together in the face of adversity both on and off the field.

ACB Pays Tribute

The Afghanistan Cricket Board issued a heartfelt statement, saying: 'Throughout his career, Shapoor served Afghanistan cricket with honour, courage and pride. His contributions and achievements will always remain an important part of the history of Afghanistan cricket, and his efforts in the service of the national team will never be forgotten.'

The board further described Zadran as 'a true source of inspiration for many young Afghan cricketers and for cricket followers across the world,' adding that 'his fighting spirit, determination, and love for the game gave hope to many and encouraged a generation to dream bigger and believe in the future of Afghanistan cricket.'

The ACB extended condolences to his family, former teammates, and the wider Afghan cricket community, saying his memory 'will forever remain alive in the hearts of the people of Afghanistan and the cricketing world.'

What Comes Next

Afghanistan cricket now mourns one of its founding generation of players. Zadran's passing is a sobering reminder of the personal sacrifices made by athletes who built the sport in the country from the ground up. The cricketing world will remember him not only for his pace on the field but for the courage he displayed in his final months.