Afghanistan cricket bid an emotional farewell to former fast bowler Shapoor Zadran on Thursday as he was laid to rest at Maranjan Hill in Kabul following his passing after a prolonged illness. Several current and former Afghanistan cricketers gathered to pay their final respects, with star spinner Rashid Khan unable to hold back his emotions during the funeral proceedings. A video shared on X captured the tearful moment as Zadran's coffin was lowered into the ground.
Rashid Khan overcome with emotion as Afghanistan cricketers bid farewell to Shapoor Zadran
Thousands of mourners gathered in Kabul to honor one of Afghanistan cricket's early trailblazers. Zadran's mortal remains arrived from India on Wednesday before funeral prayers were held at the historic Eidgah Mosque. His burial at Maranjan Hill brought together family members, Afghanistan Cricket Board officials, and several members of the country's cricket fraternity.
Among those present were Rashid Khan, Hamid Hassan, former captain Asghar Afghan and Samiullah Shinwari, all of whom came to pay tribute to their former teammate. While the ceremony was filled with solemn moments, it was Rashid's emotional reaction that resonated with fans across social media.
A widely circulated video on X showed the Afghan leg-spinner breaking down in tears as Shapoor Zadran was laid to rest, highlighting the deep bond shared by the players who helped shape Afghanistan's rise in international cricket. The touching scenes prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans, with many remembering Zadran's immense contribution to the sport.
Zadran played a key role in Afghanistan's rise on the world stage
Zadran was one of the pioneers of modern Afghanistan cricket, representing the national team between 2009 and 2020. Across 80 international appearances, the left-arm pacer established himself as a dependable performer, claiming 43 wickets in One-Day Internationals and another 37 in T20 Internationals.
His most memorable campaign came at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he emerged as Afghanistan's leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets. Shapoor Zadran also etched his name into the country's sporting history by hitting the winning runs against Scotland, helping Afghanistan register its maiden victory at a men's ODI World Cup.
His contributions extended far beyond statistics, with Zadran playing a vital role in laying the foundation for Afghanistan's emergence as a respected force in international cricket. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of Afghan cricketers.