Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran, who hit the winning runs to seal his country’s first World Cup victory, has died at the age of 38.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said it is deeply saddened by the death of former fast bowler Shapoor Zadran, who had been receiving treatment for a rare immune disease in New Delhi.
Shapoor Zadran represented Afghanistan in 44 One-Day Internationals and 36 Twenty20 Internationals between 2009 and 2020, taking 80 wickets during his international career.
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
One of the most memorable moments of his career came at the 2015 Cricket World Cup, when he hit the winning runs against Scotland to give Afghanistan its first World Cup victory.
In a statement, the ACB described Zadran as one of the key figures who helped build Afghanistan cricket. The board said his dedication, passion, and commitment played a major role in the growth of the sport in the country. It added that he served Afghanistan with pride, courage, and honor, and that his contributions and achievements will always be remembered as an important part of the country’s cricket history.
Former India all-rounder, ex-head coach, and commentator Ravi Shastri also paid tribute to Zadran on X. He said he was saddened by the news and called Zadran one of the main figures behind Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket. Shastri said Zadran’s contribution to the game and the team’s journey would always be remembered. He added that Zadran devoted his life to cricket and offered his heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the Afghanistan cricket community.
