Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran has died at the age of 38 after a prolonged illness, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced on Tuesday.

The former pacer was considered one of the pioneers of the country’s rise in international cricket.

In a statement, the ACB paid tribute to Zadran, describing him as one of the foundation-laying figures of Afghan cricket whose dedication and commitment played a key role in the development of the game 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.

Zadran represented Afghanistan for more than a decade, taking 43 wickets in One-Day Internationals and 37 in Twenty20 Internationals.

The left-arm pacer played a key role in Afghanistan’s climb through the ICC World Cricket League divisions and was instrumental in the team’s historic first victory at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2015, when Afghanistan defeated Scotland.

He finished as Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker at the tournament with 10 wickets.

Zadran was also part of the Afghanistan side that earned Full Member status of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2018.

He made his final appearance for the national team in 2020 before retiring from all forms of cricket in 2025.