Thousands Attend Funeral Prayers in Kabul
Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran has been laid to rest in Kabul after his death in New Delhi on Tuesday following a prolonged illness.
His funeral prayers were offered at the Eidgah Mosque on Thursday. Family members, friends, fellow cricketers and thousands of mourners attended the funeral.
Zadran’s death at the age of 38 has left Afghanistan’s cricket community in mourning.
He was widely regarded as one of the early heroes of Afghan cricket and a key figure in the country’s rise on the international stage.
He died after a prolonged illness while receiving treatment in New Delhi.
Reports say Shapoor Zadran was suffering from Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, also called HLH. It is a rare and life-threatening immune disorder in which the immune system becomes overactive and can damage the body’s organs.
He passed away on July 7, 2026, at the age of 38, one day before his 39th birthday.
ICC, Cricket Boards and Former Stars Pay Tribute
The International Cricket Council expressed sorrow over Zadran’s passing.
The ICC described him as a Cricket World Cup hero and said his contribution to the game would be remembered.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board also paid tribute to the former pacer.
The board called him one of the foundation-laying figures of Afghanistan cricket. It said his passion, dedication and commitment helped bring Afghan cricket to the international stage.
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh called Zadran a true pioneer of Afghanistan cricket.
He said it was heartbreaking to lose someone who gave so much to the game.
Former India captain Ravi Shastri said Zadran’s role in Afghanistan’s cricket journey would never be forgotten.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar remembered him as a fearless cricketer who helped put Afghanistan on the global cricket map.
Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews called him a champion on and off the field.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board also expressed deep sadness over his death. Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood also offered condolences to Zadran’s family.
World Cup Hero Remembered for Afghanistan’s Rise
Shapoor Zadran was one of the most important players in Afghanistan’s early cricket journey.
He represented Afghanistan in 44 One-Day Internationals, 36 Twenty20 Internationals and one Test match.
During his international career, he took 43 wickets in ODIs and 37 wickets in T20 internationals.
Zadran played a major role in Afghanistan’s first-ever ICC Cricket World Cup victory.
He starred in Afghanistan’s dramatic win over Scotland in the 2015 World Cup.
He also finished as Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker in that tournament with 10 wickets.
His performances helped inspire a new generation of Afghan cricketers.
Zadran retired from international cricket in 2020. He later announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in 2025.
He will be remembered as one of the pioneers who helped Afghanistan move from an emerging cricket nation to a respected team in world cricket.
