Former Afghanistan pacer dies after battling prolonged illness in India

Former Afghanistan pacer Shapoor Zadran has passed away after battling a prolonged illness. Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) shared a heartfelt note, announcing the heartbreaking news on social media.

Zadran had been admitted in a hospital in Delhi. He has been hailed as one of the 'foundation-laying figures of Afghanistan cricket'. He played a crucial role in developing the game of cricket in Afghanistan. He also inspired young Afghans to take up cricket.

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“Throughout his career, Shapoor served Afghanistan cricket with honor, 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,” the ACB said in a statement (translated from Urdu) on July 7.

Shapoor Zadran’s cricket career 

Zadran made his ODI debut against Netherlands in 2009. He made his T20I debut in 2010 against Ireland. His last ODI and T20I appearance were in March 2019 and March 2020 respectively.

He represented Afghanistan in 44 ODIs and 36 T20Is. He has 43 wickets in ODIs, averaging 36.95, including two four-fers. In T20Is, he has 37 wickets, averaging 24.51. He played just nine red-ball games which were recognised as first-class cricket. He bagged 17 wickets, including a four-fer at an average just over 17. His last appearance in competitive cricket was in July 2022.

Zadran often talked about how anger fuelled his bowling. The left-arm pacer used it to unsettle a batter, forcing him to make a mistake.

Zadran’s record vs India: Wicketless in ODIs, dismissed Gambhir, Sehwag in T20Is

Zadran played just one ODI against India in 2014 where he went for 25 runs from six overs in the Asia Cup clash. In T20Is, he faced India in T20 World Cup 2010 and 2012 editions. In the 2010 edition, he remained wicketless and conceded just six runs from two overs. In the 2012 clash, he got the prized wickets of Indian openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag with the new ball.