Afghanistan cricket has united to honour former fast bowler Shapoor Zadran following his death at the age of 38, with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) postponing two days of the ongoing Shpageeza Cricket League and confirming that players, officials and members of the cricket community will gather to pay their final respects.
The decision reflects Zadran’s enduring place in Afghanistan’s cricketing history, having been among the group of players who helped establish the national team on the international stage during the country’s rapid rise through world cricket.
In a post on X, the Afghanistan Cricket Board said, “As a mark of respect and in tribute to the late Shapoor Zadran, the scheduled matches for Wednesday, July 8, and Thursday, July 9, in the 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League 2026, have been postponed.”
SCLXI Matches Postponed for Two Days 🚨
As a mark of respect and in tribute to the late Shapoor Zadran, the scheduled matches for Wednesday, July 8, and and Thursday, July 9, in the 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League 2026, have been postponed.
A revised schedule for… pic.twitter.com/ocle6Z6E9l
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) July 7, 2026
The board added, “A revised schedule for the remainder of the tournament will be announced in due course.”
The tributes extended beyond Afghanistan, with ICC Chairman Jay Shah acknowledging Zadran’s contribution to the growth of the game in the country and recalling one of the defining moments of his international career.
In a post on X, Shah wrote, “Deeply saddened by the passing of former Afghan cricketer Shapoor Zadran at the age of 38. Shapoor played a significant role in Afghanistan’s remarkable rise in international cricket and will always be remembered for his match-winning all-round performance against Scotland in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, which secured Afghanistan’s first-ever World Cup victory. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the entire Afghanistan cricket fraternity. May his soul rest in peace.”
Deeply saddened by the passing of former Afghan cricketer Shapoor Zadran at the age of 38. Shapoor played a significant role in Afghanistan's remarkable rise in international cricket and will always be remembered for his match-winning all-round performance against Scotland in the…
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 8, 2026
Alongside postponing the tournament, the ACB also confirmed that officials and members of Afghanistan’s national team will take part in the farewell for the former left-arm seamer.
The board said in a post on X, “The late Shapoor Zadran’s body will be repatriated to Afghanistan tomorrow and laid to rest the following day. Officials of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, along with national players, will attend the funeral ceremony to pay their final respects.”
Afghanistan prepares final farewell
The ACB has also outlined the arrangements for Zadran’s return to Kabul and the funeral ceremonies, with players, officials and supporters expected to gather to honour one of the country’s most respected cricketers.
In another post on X, the board said, “The mortal remains of the late Shapoor Zadran will arrive at Kabul International Airport today, Wednesday, at 4:00 PM and will then be taken to his family residence in Sadr-e-Azam Township in Bagrami District.”
The board added, “The funeral prayer will be offered on Thursday at 10:00 AM at Eidgah Mosque, Kabul. Following the prayer, the late Shapoor Zadran will be laid to rest during a special burial ceremony at Maranjan Hill, Kabul.”
Funeral and Burial Arrangements for the Late Shapoor Zadran
The mortal remains of the late Shapoor Zadran will arrive at Kabul International Airport today, Wednesday, at 4:00 PM and will then be taken to his family residence in Sadr-e-Azam Township in Bagrami District.
The… pic.twitter.com/ES2p5SX2Yq
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) July 8, 2026
Zadran represented Afghanistan in 80 international matches between 2009 and 2020, including 44 One-Day Internationals and 36 T20 Internationals. He claimed 43 ODI wickets and 37 T20I wickets and remains closely associated with Afghanistan’s first-ever victory at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, striking the winning runs against Scotland in 2015 before finishing as the team’s leading wicket-taker at the tournament with 10 wickets. He had been undergoing treatment in New Delhi for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare immune system disorder, before his passing.
A legacy beyond statistics
For the Afghanistan Cricket Board, Zadran’s influence stretched far beyond his performances on the field, with the former fast bowler recognised as one of the figures who helped lay the foundations for the country’s emergence as a Full Member nation.
Paying tribute in a statement on X, the ACB said, “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. 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.”
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,… pic.twitter.com/iPIAJ6HLkq
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) July 7, 2026
The board added, “Beyond his achievements on the field, Shapoor Zadran was a true source of inspiration for many young Afghan cricketers and for cricket followers across the world. His fighting spirit, determination, and love for the game gave hope to many and encouraged a generation to dream bigger and believe in the future of Afghanistan cricket.”
Tributes reflect his lasting influence
Among those to pay tribute was former Afghanistan Head Coach Andy Moles, who worked closely with Zadran during the 2015 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Reacting to the news, Moles told Cricbuzz, “I am shocked.”
He added, “I’m so sad with the passing of Shapoor, an absolute giant of a character in ACB and the cricket team was fortunate enough to be associated with him.”
Moles also reflected on the commitment that defined Zadran throughout his career.
He said, “He really led from the front. Whether it would be training, whether it would be preparation before games, and actually in the games themselves, he would always give 100 per cent in every opportunity. All the youngsters I’m sure will remember as I do and a lot of people (do), him running in a long way – sometimes a little bit too far. He used a long run-up with his hair flowing, thundering in, trying to bowl as quick as he could, left-arm rockets.”
Remembering Afghanistan’s pace attack during that period, Moles added, “Shapoor and Hamid Hassan used to lead the bowling attack in those days, and as I say I’m devastated to hear the news that he’s passed on, my thoughts are with everybody connected with the ACB and with his family. Inshallah you will all recover with time.”
Former Afghanistan Cricketer and Afghanistan Cricket Board Coaching Panel Member Raees Ahmadzai also remembered Zadran’s character and his willingness to support younger players.
Ahmadzai said, “He was a guy that served Afghanistan, he was the best of friends, he was very funny, a lovely person to speak to. He shared his thoughts as a friend, he shared his experiences with the youngsters.”
With the Shpageeza Cricket League temporarily suspended and the Afghanistan cricket community preparing to bid farewell to one of its pioneering figures, the board is expected to announce a revised tournament schedule after the funeral ceremonies conclude.
