French footballer Ibrahim Diarra loses life at 36

Former France international Ibrahim Diarra has died at the age of 36 due to a cardiac arrest.

Ibrahim Diarra, played for France in 2008 had been in a Paris hospital since Friday.

He suffered a cardiac arrest and subsequent stroke.

Those near to the former Top 14 champion said he then suffered numerous strokes which had caused irreversible brain damage.

The French Rugby Federation confirmed the news on Wednesday evening.

Diarra lifted the Top 14 title with Castres in 2013 after starting his career with Montauban.

“I am devastated that he could go so soon. We will always remember his smile, and an eternal memory of a great rugby player.”

“My most sincere condolences to the family and those close to Ibrahim Diarra,” Bernard Laporte said on Twitter.

He started his professional career with Montauban before spending seven seasons with Castres, where he won the French title in 2013 and retired five years later.

“Diarra brought laughter and a ray of sunshine. He gave everything on the field,” Laurent Travers, one of Diarra´s coaches at Montauban, told.

Ibrahim Diarra

Ibrahim Diarra was a French rugby union footballer. He played as a flanker for Castres.

Diarra was born in Paris.

He made his international debut for France in their fourth match of the 2008 Six Nations Championship against Italy on 9 March 2008.

This was his only cap.

Diarra died suddently on 18 December 2019 due to a stroke at the age of 36.

Moreover, Pakistan captain Azhar Ali won the toss and opted to bat in the second and final Test against Sri Lanka at the National Stadium in Karachi on Thursday.

Their series is the first in Pakistan since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus killed eight people in March 2009.

It leads to the suspension of international cricket in the country as foreign sides refused to visit over security fears.

The rain-ravaged first Test ended in a tame draw after almost three days lost.

Pakistan were forced into one change after pace bowler Usman Shinwari was ruled out of the match with typhoid and he has been replaced by leg-spinner Yasir Shah