Daijiworld Media Network - Kabul

Kabul, Jul 8: Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran, one of the pioneers of the country's rise in international cricket, has died at the age of 38 following a prolonged illness, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced on Tuesday.

Paying tribute to the former left-arm pacer, the ACB described him as one of the foundational figures of Afghanistan cricket whose dedication and commitment played a crucial role in the development of the sport in the country.

"Shapoor Zadran was one of the foundation-laying figures of Afghanistan cricket, whose dedication, passion and unwavering commitment played a vital role in the rise and development of the game in our country," the board said in a statement.

Zadran represented Afghanistan for more than a decade, claiming 43 wickets in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 37 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

He played a key role in Afghanistan's rapid rise through the ICC World Cricket League divisions and was instrumental in the team's historic first ICC Men's Cricket World Cup victory against Scotland in 2015. He finished as Afghanistan's highest wicket-taker in that tournament with 10 wickets.

Zadran was also a regular member of the Afghanistan side when the country attained ICC Full Member status in 2018.

His final international appearance came in 2020, and he officially retired from professional cricket in 2025.

His death has been widely mourned across the cricketing fraternity, with tributes pouring in for one of the players who helped establish Afghanistan as a competitive force in international cricket.