KABUL: Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran has died at the age of 38 after a prolonged illness, the Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. He died just one day before his 39th birthday.
Zadran had been receiving treatment at a hospital in New Delhi, India, after suffering from a rare and severe immune system disorder. Reports identified the illness as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, or HLH.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board expressed deep sorrow over his death and described him as one of the foundation-laying figures in the development of Afghan cricket.
Zadran had been seriously ill for several months. Earlier reports said he travelled to India for treatment and later remained in critical condition while receiving hospital care.
Afghanistan stars Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi were among the cricketers who visited their former teammate during his treatment in India.
His illness had drawn widespread concern across Afghanistan’s cricket community as fellow players and supporters expressed solidarity with the former pacer.
Shapoor Zadran played an important role during Afghanistan’s emergence as an international cricket team.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board praised his dedication, passion and commitment to the sport. The board said his contribution played a significant role in the rise and development of cricket in the country.
The left-arm fast bowler made his One Day International debut in 2009. According to Reuters, he represented Afghanistan in 80 international matches, including 44 ODIs and 36 T20 Internationals.
One of Zadran’s most memorable moments came at the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
Afghanistan defeated Scotland to secure the country’s first-ever World Cup victory. Zadran played a decisive role in that historic moment by hitting the winning boundary.
That victory became one of the defining moments of Afghanistan’s early rise in international cricket.
Zadran’s pace bowling, aggressive style and commitment made him one of the recognizable figures of Afghanistan’s formative years on the global stage. The ACB’s tribute emphasized his lasting role in the growth of the game in the country.
News of Shapoor Zadran’s death brought mourning across Afghanistan’s cricket community.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board formally announced his passing and paid tribute to a player it regarded as a foundational figure in the country’s cricket journey.
Zadran leaves behind a legacy closely linked to Afghanistan’s rise from an emerging cricket nation to a recognized force in international competition. His role in the historic 2015 World Cup victory against Scotland remains one of the most memorable moments of his career.