The news was confirmed by his younger brother Gamai Zadran, who has been with Shapur since he was shifted to Delhi for treatment in January. Shapur suffered from late-stage HLH, a rare disease in which the immune system begins to fail.
Shapoor was one of the most recognizable faces of Afghanistan cricket during its rise in the 2000s and 2010s, standing 6ft 2in and a long-distance runner with his long hair flowing. and taking a total of 80 international wickets. He particularly shone in the 2015 ODI World Cup – the only World Cup he played in – eventually becoming Australia and New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets. He played in four T20 World Cups from 2010 to 2016, taking nine wickets in nine matches.
Shapur was widely known among his contemporaries for his generosity and kindness, and was a mentor to several young players, including Rashid Khan. Rashid, former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan and several other famous cricketers were in touch with Shapoor during his treatment. When Afghanistan toured India in June, their captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, head coach Richard Pybus and players Qais Ahmed and Zia Sharif visited him in hospital.
“It is with deep sorrow and deep sorrow that the Afghanistan Cricket Board mourns the passing of former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran,” the board said in a statement. “Shapoor Zadran was one of the pioneers of Afghan cricket whose dedication, passion and unwavering commitment played a vital role in the emergence and development of the game in our country. He was among the proud cricketers who stood at the heart of the early journey of cricket in Afghanistan and helped pave the way that brought Afghan cricket to the international stage.
“Throughout his career, Shapoor has served Afghanistan cricket with honor, courage and pride. His contributions and achievements will always remain an important part of Afghan cricket history and his efforts in service to the national team will never be forgotten.
“Beyond his achievements on the field, Shapoor Zadran has been a true inspiration to many young Afghan cricketers and to cricket followers 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 Afghan Cricket Board expresses 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 live in the hearts of the people of Afghanistan and the world of cricket.”
Shapur was born in Logar province in Afghanistan and moved to Peshawar in Pakistan when war engulfed the region. He developed his game at the Arbab Niyaz Stadium and Gymkhana and started playing hard cricket in 2001. He initially hoped to play for Pakistan, citing Shoaib Akhtar as his fast bowling idol, but when Iqbal Sikander, who had played in several ODI teams for Pakistan, began coaching in Afghanistan, Shapoor returned there.
“I was a little angry when I saw 500 players on trial,” Shapur told Cricinfo in 2012. “I said to myself: ‘Shapur, it’s impossible for you to escape from these 500 players!’ I was so surprised that I didn’t tell them why I was going to Afghanistan – I said I had a job there and secretly attended the trial.”He made his Afghanistan debut in an ODI match against the Netherlands in August 2009, taking 4 for 24, which remained his career best. He made his T20I debut the following year – against Ireland in February 2010 – and his best figures (3 for 40) in the format came in a 45-run win over Bangladesh in Dehradun in 2018.
Nagraj Gollapudi, News Editor, Cricinfo