Former Afghanistan cricketer Shapoor Zadran is battling for his life after being diagnosed with a rare and severe medical condition. The 37-year-old left-arm pacer is currently in the ICU of a New Delhi hospital, where his condition remains critical. Zadran has been diagnosed with stage four Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a life-threatening disorder that severely weakens the immune system and can rapidly escalate if not treated in time.
Health deteriorates after months of complications
Zadran’s health troubles reportedly began in October 2025, when he first experienced symptoms of illness. According to his younger brother, Ghamai Zadran, his condition worsened gradually, prompting doctors to recommend advanced treatment in India. With support from Rashid Khan and Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Mirwais Ashraf, he was able to secure a visa and travel for urgent care.
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He arrived in New Delhi on January 18 alongside his wife and former teammate Asghar Afghan. Initial medical examinations revealed a severe infection, including tuberculosis, which had spread throughout his body and even affected his brain. Although he showed brief signs of recovery and was discharged, his condition deteriorated again within weeks, with symptoms including high fever, abdominal pain, and later dengue.
Diagnosis of rare HLH worsens outlook
Following further complications, doctors conducted a bone marrow test that confirmed stage four HLH,a rare immune disorder more commonly seen in children but also found in adults with weakened immunity. The disease causes excessive immune activation, leading to organ damage and critical complications.
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Efforts to support Zadran’s treatment have come from multiple quarters. Jay Shah was contacted for assistance, while IPL franchises like Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians have also extended help. Zadran, who represented Afghanistan in 80 international matches between 2009 and 2020, now faces the toughest fight of his life, far removed from the cricket field where he once thrived.
