Sad News for cricket fans! Afghanistan's Shapoor Zadran passes away after prolonged illness
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Shapoor Zadran passed away at an age of 38.
In what has been the most shocking news of the day, the former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran passed away on Tuesday (July 07, 2026) at the age of 38 after battling a prolonged illness. His death comes at a time when Afghanistan cricket is gearing up for the international games after their domestic T20 league.
Shapoor Zadran was one of the founding figures of Afghanistan cricket and one of the most recognisable fast bowlers in the early years of the national team. He dies one day before his 39th birthday, after a long and courageous battle with a rare illness.
Shapoor had been battling with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, known as HLH – a rare and life-threatening disorder of immune regulation. Basically, it is a condition where the body’s own immune system goes into overdrive and starts attacking its own organs. It is aggressive, difficult to treat and in advanced stages it can be devastating.
Shapoor Zadran was one of the foundation-layering figures of Afghanistan cricket – ACB
He first fell ill back in October last year, when doctors in Afghanistan advised him to travel to India for treatment. His younger brother Ghamai Zadran accompanied him to Delhi, and the initial signs were decent. Shapoor responded well to treatment and was even discharged from the hospital for a period of three weeks.
But the illness came back hard, and the infection spread aggressively through the body. He was readmitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), but despite the best treatment, he couldn’t fight back.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the tragic news through an official statement and paid tribute to one of the country’s best fast pacers.
“Shapoor Zadran was one of the foundation-layering 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,,” said ACB in a press release.
How did Shapoor Zadran die?
Shapoor Zadran passed away on July 07, 2026, after a prolonged battle with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, known as HLH – a rare and life-threatening disorder of immune regulation.
How old was Shapoor Zadran when he died?
Shapoor Zadran was 38 years old at the time of his death, passing away just one day before his 39th birthday.
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Amit Patel is a passionate sports enthusiast and a devoted Virat Kohli admirer who proudly supports Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Having been involved in sports from a young age, he has played chess at the district level and represented his college in various competitions. Amit closely follows Indian cricket, with a special interest in tracking young talents and rising stars making their mark at the highest level. Alongside his love for the game, he is an experienced sports content writer who enjoys crafting stories that connect with fans.