Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has expressed grief over the death of former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran, describing him as a courageous cricketer whose contributions to Afghanistan cricket will be remembered for years to come.
In a condolence message shared on Facebook, Afridi offered prayers for Zadran and his family, saying that while death is inevitable, honor, courage, and dignity endure. He said Shapoor Zadran was not only a talented cricketer but also a brave individual whose legacy would continue to inspire others.
Afridi recalls support during Zadran’s illness
Afridi had previously reached out to Zadran’s family during the former cricketer’s illness, offering prayers for his recovery and assuring them of his support.
Zadran had been battling cancer for an extended period and was receiving treatment at a hospital in India. During his illness, several current and former Afghanistan players visited him.
A pioneer of Afghanistan cricket
Shapoor Zadran is regarded as one of the pioneers of Afghanistan cricket and played a significant role in the team’s rise on the international stage. The left-arm fast bowler represented Afghanistan in 44 One-Day Internationals and 36 T20 Internationals over a career spanning more than a decade.
He is widely remembered for his performance in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he claimed 10 wickets during the tournament. Zadran also played a decisive role in Afghanistan’s historic first-ever World Cup victory against Scotland, scoring the winning runs in a match that remains one of the country’s most memorable cricketing moments.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board also paid tribute to Zadran, describing him as one of the key figures who helped lay the foundation of modern Afghanistan cricket and saying his contributions would always be remembered.
Also Read :Shahid Afridi Visits UN Headquarters, Meets Pakistan Envoy Asim Iftikhar
Today's E-Paper