New Delhi, July 7: Veteran Afghanistan pacer Shapoor Zadran has died a day before his 39th birthday after battling a rare immune disorder called Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) syndrome for which he was being treated at a hospital here.
Zadran, a left-arm fast bowler, played 44 ODIs and 36 T20Is for Afghanistan between 2009 and 2020. HLH is a hyperinflammatory syndrome which compromises the immune system. He was brought to Delhi for treatment in January.His death on Tuesday was announced by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).“With profound grief and deep sorrow, the Afghanistan Cricket Board mourns the passing of former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran,” the ACB wrote on X.The ACB said Zadran, an imposing bowler who was a part of some memorable wins and drew attention for his flowing hair, was “one of the foundation-laying figures of Afghanistan cricket”.“Shapoor Zadran was one of the foundation-laying figures of Afghanistan cricket, whose dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment played a vital role in the rise and development of the game in our country,” the ACB said.Several members of the Afghanistan team, including skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi had visited him in the hospital during the course of his treatment.Zadran was Afghanistan’s most successful bowler in the 2015 ODI World Cup. (PTI)
