The funeral of former Afghanistan pacer Shapoor Zadran took place in Kabul on Thursday, July 9, 2026, with members of the Afghanistan cricket fraternity gathering to pay their final respects. Zadran, a key figure during Afghanistan's years as an associate ICC member, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 38 after battling Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare immune system disorder. He had been undergoing treatment in the Delhi-NCR region for several months.
Funeral Ceremony Details
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced on its official X handle that Zadran's mortal remains were brought to Kabul on Wednesday. Following a funeral prayer at 10:00 AM on Thursday, he was laid to rest at Maranjan Hill Cemetery in Kabul. The ACB posted a video capturing moments from the ceremony, including heartfelt condolence messages and tributes from former Afghanistan national team players, respected guests, elders, and members of the cricket fraternity.
ACB Tributes to a Pioneer
The ACB hailed Zadran as one of the pioneers of Afghanistan cricket, stating, "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 board added, "He was among the proud cricketers who stood at the heart of Afghanistan's early cricket journey and helped build the path that brought Afghan cricket to the international stage." The ACB further emphasized, "Throughout his career, Shapoor served Afghanistan cricket with honour, courage, and pride. His contributions and achievements will always remain an important part of the history of Afghanistan cricket, and his efforts in the service of the national team will never be forgotten."
Career Highlights and Legacy
Zadran represented Afghanistan in 80 international matches between 2009 and 2020, comprising 44 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 36 T20 Internationals. He secured a total of 80 international wickets. Notably, he hit the winning runs in Afghanistan's first-ever Cricket World Cup victory against Scotland during the 2015 edition. His contributions were instrumental in the country's rise on the international stage, and his legacy is remembered as a cornerstone of Afghan cricket's development.
