The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has decided to postpone two days of fixtures in the current 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League to honour the late Shapoor Zadran, who passed away at the age of 38 on July 7, 2026. The board announced that the matches scheduled for July 8 and 9 will not take place as a gesture of respect for a significant figure in Afghanistan’s cricket history.

In an official statement, the ACB outlined that the decision was made “as a mark of respect and in tribute to the late Shapoor Zadran.” The revised schedule for the remaining matches of the T20 tournament is expected to be released soon. This postponement reflects Zadran’s legacy and the profound impact he had on Afghan cricket.

Funeral Arrangements in Kabul

Arrangements have been confirmed for Zadran’s funeral, with his body scheduled to arrive at Kabul International Airport on July 8, 2026. Following his arrival, the remains will be transported to his family home in the Sadr-e-Azam Township, located in the Bagrami district. The funeral prayers will take place at the historic Eidgah Mosque in Kabul on the morning of July 9, after which he will be interred at Maranjan Hill.

The ACB has stated that its officials, along with members of the national team, will attend the funeral to pay their respects. This event highlights the high regard in which Zadran is held within the Afghan cricket community.

According to the ACB, Zadran’s remains will arrive at the airport on July 8 at 4:00 PM, followed by the transfer to his family residence. The funeral prayer is set for 10:00 AM on July 9 at the Eidgah Mosque, preceding a special burial ceremony.

Shapoor Zadran: A Cricketing Pioneer

Shapoor Zadran was a key figure in Afghanistan’s journey into the world of international cricket. He debuted for the national team in 2009 and represented Afghanistan in a total of 80 matches, including 44 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 36 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). In ODIs, he took 43 wickets, while in T20Is, he achieved 37 wickets before concluding his international career in 2020.

He is particularly remembered for his pivotal role in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he hit the winning boundary against Scotland, marking Afghanistan’s first-ever victory in the tournament. Zadran finished as the leading wicket-taker for Afghanistan in that World Cup, claiming 10 wickets, and solidified his position in the annals of Afghan cricket history.

In recent times, Zadran had been receiving treatment in New Delhi for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare immune system disorder. He sadly passed away just a day before his 39th birthday. His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from teammates, fans, and former players, many of whom recognised him as an architect of Afghanistan’s impressive rise in the sport.

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