Afghanistan's Shapoor Zadran Passes Away At 38 After Prolonged Illness

Shapoor Zadran for Afghanistan [Source: AFP]Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in India after a prolonged illness at the age of just 38.The left-arm pacer had been undergoing treatment in the Delhi-NCR region for the past several months after being diagnosed with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and serious immune system disorder that causes severe inflammation and can damage multiple organs. What Happened To Afghanistan's Shapoor Zadran?According to reports, Shapoor Zadran first fell ill in October last year. Doctors in Afghanistan advised him to travel to India for advanced medical treatment. He was admitted to a hospital in New Delhi, where he initially showed signs of recovery and was discharged.However, his condition worsened, and he had to resume treatment. Despite months of medical care, he could not recover from the rare disease. Also Read: What Happened To Shapoor Zadran? Entire Timeline Of Afghanistan Star's Health CrisisAfghanistan Cricket Mourns Loss Of Shapoor ZadranFollowing the news of his passing, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) expressed its deep sorrow and paid tribute to Shapoor."With profound grief and deep sorrow, the Afghanistan Cricket Board mourns the passing of former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran.""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 Afghanistan Cricket Board extends its heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to his family, friends, loved ones, former teammates, and the entire Afghan cricket community. His loss is deeply felt, and his memory will forever remain alive in the hearts of the people of Afghanistan and the cricketing world."May his soul rest in eternal peace. May Allah Almighty forgive him, grant him the highest rank in Jannat-ul-Firdaws, and bless him with the best of rewards."The board also extended heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, former teammates, and the entire Afghan cricket community. It added that his contributions to Afghanistan cricket would never be forgotten and prayed for eternal peace for his soul.Afghanistan Cricket Board @ACBofficials إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ With profound grief and deep sorrow, the Afghanistan Cricket Board mourns the passing of former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran. Shapoor Zadran was one of the foundation-laying figures of Afghanistan cricket, whose dedication, Jul 7, 2026, 1:59 PM What Is Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, The Disease That Led To Shapoor Zadran's Death?The Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare but very serious disease in which the body's immune system becomes overactive. Instead of only fighting germs, it starts attacking the body's own healthy blood cells and tissues.This overreaction causes severe inflammation throughout the body and can damage important organs such as the liver, lungs, kidneys, and brain. If not treated quickly, HLH can lead to multi-organ failure, and this was the disease that led to Shapoor's death.Shapoor Zadran's Career At A GlanceTaking a look at Shapoor Zadran's stats and career, the tall bowler had played 44 ODI matches for Afghanistan. In this format, he took 43 wickets at an economy rate of 4.80. In the shortest format of the game, he represented his country in 36 matches and bagged 37 wickets at an economy rate of 7.83.He was regarded as one of the crucial players during Afghanistan's rise in international cricket. His pace and fighting spirit made him a respected figure in the team.Also Read: Biggest Selection Blunders By BCCI In India T20I squad vs Zimbabwe