Afghanistan cricket on Thursday said its final goodbye to former fast bowler Shapoor Zadran, who was laid to rest at Maranjan Hill in Kabul after passing away following a long illness. Several current and former Afghanistan players attended the funeral to pay their respects, while star spinner Rashid Khan was seen overcome with emotion during the burial.
A video shared on X showed Rashid in tears as Zadran's coffin was lowered into the grave, a moment that reflected the close bond the two cricketers shared.
Rashid Khan breaks down as Afghanistan cricketers bid farewell to Shapoor Zadran
Thousands of people gathered in Kabul to pay their last respects to one of the pioneers of Afghanistan cricket. Zadran's body was brought back from India on Wednesday, after which funeral prayers were held at the historic Eidgah Mosque.
He was later buried at Maranjan Hill in the presence of his family, Afghanistan Cricket Board officials, and several members of the country's cricket community.
Among those who attended the funeral were Rashid Khan, Hamid Hassan, former captain Asghar Afghan and Samiullah Shinwari. While the ceremony was filled with grief, it was Rashid's emotional reaction that caught the attention of fans.
The video, which has been widely shared on X, showed the Afghanistan spinner unable to hold back his tears as Zadran was laid to rest. The heartbreaking moment led to an outpouring of condolences from cricket fans, many of whom remembered Zadran's role in helping Afghanistan become a competitive international side.
Zadran helped lay the foundation of Afghanistan cricket
Shapoor Zadran represented Afghanistan from 2009 to 2020 and played an important part in the team's rise on the international stage. The left-arm fast bowler featured in 80 international matches, taking 43 wickets in ODIs and 37 more in T20Is.
One of the biggest highlights of his career came during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he finished as Afghanistan's highest wicket-taker with 10 wickets.
He also played a memorable role in Afghanistan's first-ever win at a men's ODI World Cup by hitting the winning runs against Scotland, a historic moment for the team.
While his numbers speak for themselves, Zadran's contribution went far beyond statistics. He was among the players who helped build Afghanistan cricket from its early days into a team respected around the world. His achievements and commitment to the game will continue to inspire future generations of Afghan cricketers.