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Shapoor Zadran Dies After Long Battle With Rare Immune Disorder

The loss of a foundation‑laying player has prompted national mourning, drawing attention to the rare immune disorder HLH.

Former Afghanistan cricketer Shapoor Zadran passed away after suffering from prolonged illness. He was only 38.
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Cricket - MCC vs Afghanistan - London, Britain - July 11, 2017 Afghanistan's Shapoor Zadran celebrates the wicket of MCC's Misbah-ul-Haq Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley/File Photo
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Overview

  • The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed that Shapoor Zadran died in India on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, while receiving medical treatment after months of care.
  • His family and reports say he had advanced Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare, severe immune disorder that was compounded by repeated and aggressive infections including tuberculosis.
  • Zadran was treated in the Delhi‑NCR region from January 2026, briefly improved and was discharged before a relapse forced readmission to intensive care in May and eventual deterioration.
  • A key figure in Afghanistan’s rise, Zadran played 80 internationals from 2009–2020, was his country’s top wicket‑taker at the 2015 World Cup and formally retired in January 2025.
  • Tributes poured in from teammates, cricket officials and global commentators, thousands attended his funeral in Kabul, and his death has focused attention on HLH and the challenges Afghans face getting specialised care abroad.