Afghan pacer Shapoor Zadran dies battling rare immune disorder

A big loss to Afghanistan Cricket Board as Afghan pacer Shapoor Zadran passes away at 38 on Tuesday, just a day before his 39th birthday battling a rare immune disorder called HLH syndrome.

HLH is termed as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and is a rare immune disorder in which the immune system goes into overdrive. Instead of just fighting off a virus or infection, immune cells become overactive and attack the body’s own organs and starts destroying healthy blood cells.

The left arm seamer had represented Afghanistan in 44 ODIs and 36 T20I between 2009 and 2020. Zadran was one of the most successful Afghans bowler.

” With profound grief and deep sorrow, the Afghanistan Cricket Board mourns the passing of former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran. He was one of the foundation laying figures of Afghanistan Cricket, whose dedication, passion and unwavering commitment played a crucial role in the rise of the game in our country” , Afghanistan Cricket Board posted on X.

Remembering Zadran the post even stated that because of his contribution and surreal dedication, Afghan cricket got that international stage and value. He was not just a player, infact he was a true source of inspiration for many Afghan cricketers and for the followers of cricket across the world. His fighting spirit, determination and love for the game gave hope to many and encouraged an entire generation to dream bigger and believe in the future of Afghan cricket.

The admin further added to the post extending it’s heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to his family, friends, loved ones, former teammates, and the entire Afghan cricket community. That his loss is deeply felt and he will forever remain alive in the memory and hearts of the Afghan people.

Let’s have a peak at his amazing cricketing career!

Shapoor Zadran died at such a young age, but he was a great player who will be remembered by generations for decades. He was a left arm fast- medium bowler who was born on July 7,1987 in logar province , Afghanistan. He was a refugee in Peshwar, pakistan, where he started playing cricket along with Mohammad Nabi, Asghar Stanikzai, and Dawlat Zadran.

Zadran made his debut for Afghanistan against Chitral in the inter district senior tournament. In 2007, he made his List-A debut for Badureliya Cricket Club against Sri Lanka. Infact he was Afghanistan’s most successful bowler in the 2015 ODI World Cup, where he took 10 crucial wickets.

Not only Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) expressed deep sorrow, but cricketing icons around the world expressed their grief by sharing a heartfelt post on X. Famous cricketing icons like- Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, former Indian coach and commentator Ravi Shastri and Azmatullah Omarzai.