Tributes Pour In for Afghanistan Cricket Pioneer Shapoor Zadran

The cricket world mourns the loss of Shapoor Zadran, a former Afghanistan pacer who passed away at 38 after battling a rare immune disorder. His funeral was attended by many from the cricket fraternity, who paid their respects to a player hailed as a pioneer of Afghan cricket. Zadran's contributions were vital in establishing Afghanistan's presence in international cricket, and he is remembered for his significant achievements, including scoring the winning runs in Afghanistan's first Cricket World Cup victory. This article explores his legacy and the heartfelt tributes shared by the Afghanistan Cricket Board and fellow players.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 10, 2026, 14:24 IST

Final Farewell to Shapoor Zadran

On Thursday, the cricket community gathered to honor the late Shapoor Zadran, a former Afghanistan pacer, during his funeral. Zadran was a significant figure in the Afghan cricket team during their tenure as an associate member of the ICC.

At the age of 38, Zadran succumbed to Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare immune disorder, after months of treatment in the Delhi-NCR area. He passed away on Tuesday.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) shared on their official X account, "The funeral ceremony for Shapoor Zadran took place today at 10:00 AM, following which he was laid to rest at Maranjan Hill Cemetery in Kabul. This video showcases moments from the ceremony, featuring heartfelt tributes from former players, dignitaries, and cricket enthusiasts who came to pay their respects."

ACB Recognizes a Cricket Trailblazer

The ACB praised Zadran as a trailblazer in Afghanistan cricket, emphasizing that his dedication was crucial for the sport's advancement and the nation's emergence on the global stage.

"Shapoor Zadran was a foundational figure in Afghanistan cricket, whose passion and commitment were vital for the sport's growth in our country. He was among the proud cricketers who played a key role in Afghanistan's early cricket journey, paving the way for our entry into international cricket," stated the ACB.

"Throughout his career, Shapoor represented Afghanistan cricket with honor and pride. His contributions will forever be a significant part of Afghanistan cricket's history, and his dedication to the national team will always be remembered," the ACB added.

Career Achievements

Zadran's international career spanned from 2009 to 2020, during which he played 80 matches, including 44 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 36 T20 Internationals, claiming a total of 80 wickets. Notably, he scored the winning runs in Afghanistan's inaugural Cricket World Cup victory against Scotland in the 2015 tournament.