New Delhi: There were tears and heartbreaking scenes as Afghanistan cricket bid adieu to a former all-rounder. Shapoor Zadar. Old spinner Rashid Khanbatsman-wicketkeeper Rahmanullah GurbazIbrahim Zadran and many other cricketers in Afghanistan were seen breaking down as they paid their last respects to their former friend, whose death has left the country’s cricket fraternity in mourning.The former Afghanistan bowler died in India on Tuesday after a brief illness, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed. He was 38 years old. Zadran, who represented Afghanistan in 44 ODIs and 36 T20Is between 2009 and 2020, was treated in New Delhi after being diagnosed with stage four haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening condition that causes severe inflammation and can damage the bone marrow, liver and lymph. He was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) since May.His illness began in October last year, after doctors advised him to seek medical treatment in India. With the help of Afghanistan star Rashid Khan and ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf, his visa was fast-tracked, allowing him to be admitted to a hospital in New Delhi on January 18.Former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan travels frequently between Dubai and New Delhi to be by Zadran’s side during his treatment. Rashid Khan and several other Afghan players also joined his doctors and family. Although he initially appeared to have recovered, his illness later worsened due to repeated bouts of dengue and low red blood cell count.Paying tribute, the Afghanistan Cricket Board said: “Throughout his career, Shapoor served Afghanistan cricket with dignity, courage and pride. His contributions and achievements will remain an important part of Afghanistan’s cricket history, and his efforts in serving the national team will never be forgotten. ““Beyond what he did on the field, Shapoor Zadran was a true source of inspiration for many young Afghan cricketers and for cricket fans around the world. His fighting spirit, determination, and love for the game gave hope to many and inspired a generation to dream big and believe in the future of Afghanistan cricket.”“The Afghanistan Cricket Board offers its heartfelt condolences and deepest condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, former teammates, and the entire Afghan cricket community. His loss is deeply felt, and his memory will live on in the hearts of the people of Afghanistan and the cricket world.
