Shapoor Zadran: Former cricketer in ICU, took retirement only last year, played with Rashid Khan

By Samira Vishwas On Apr 21, 2026

Shapoor Zadran in ICU: Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran is currently fighting a battle of life and death. 38-year-old Zadran is admitted in the ICU of a Delhi hospital, where he is suffering from a rare and fatal disease, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. This disease affects the body’s immune system, causing excessive inflammation and damage to organs.

Shapoor Zadran, 6 feet 2 inches tall and known for his different style, once used to scare the opponents with his fast bowling on the field, but today the same player is in a critical condition on the hospital bed. This disease is usually found in children but can also occur in adults with weak immune systems or suffering from infection.

Shapoor Zadran admitted in ICU
Zadran played 80 international matches for Afghanistan between 2009 and 2020, including 44 ODIs and 36 T20s. His younger brother told that Zadran first felt unwell in October last year. After initial treatment in Afghanistan, doctors advised him to go to India for treatment.

Shapoor has played with Rashid Khan
He got speedy help in coming to India. Rashid Khan and the Chairman of Afghanistan Cricket Board got the visa quickly through their contacts in India. Ashraf spoke to Jay Shah while Rashid Khan used his franchise cricket’s network. Zadran reached Delhi on 18 January and was admitted to the hospital.

Initially he had serious infections, including TB, which had spread to his brain. After treatment, his condition improved for some time and he was discharged from the hospital, but within a few days his health deteriorated again. He had to be admitted to the hospital again. Later he also contracted dengue, which worsened his condition. Around March 26, a bone marrow test revealed that he was in the fourth stage of HLH. During this period his weight also reduced by about 14 kg.

In this difficult time, he is getting full support from the cricket world. Former captain Asghar Afghan is constantly with him. At the same time, AM Ghazanfar, Hashmatullah Shahidi and former Pakistan player Shahid Afridi have also inquired about his well being. Former President Hamid Karzai is also going to contact him. At present Zadran is not able to speak much and keeps sleeping most of the time. However, the steroids given by the doctors have brought some hope. The family is confident that he will recover soon.