Former Afghanistan Cricketer Shapoor Zadran Fighting for Life in Delhi Hospital

New Delhi. Former Afghanistan cricket fast bowler Shapoor Zadran is currently battling for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital in New Delhi, India. Known for his 6-foot-2-inch frame and aggressive bowling style with flowing hair, Shapoor is suffering from a rare and highly dangerous disease called Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

This is a condition where the body's immune system begins to destroy its own organs. Shapoor, who will turn 39 in July, has reached the fourth stage of the disease, and his health condition is extremely critical.

Shapoor, who played 80 international matches for Afghanistan between 2009 and 2020, began experiencing health issues last October. After Afghan doctors advised that treatment was not possible there, he arrived in Delhi on January 18.

Star spinner Rashid Khan and Afghanistan Cricket Board Chairman Mirwais Ashraf took special initiatives to bring him to India and facilitate the visa process. Rashid utilized his contacts in India, while Ashraf coordinated with ICC Chairman Jay Shah to arrange for Shapoor's treatment.

After arriving in Delhi, his condition showed some improvement during the first few weeks of hospitalization. Tests revealed that he also had a tuberculosis (TB) infection that had spread to his brain.

After being discharged and moving to a hotel, Shapoor was re-hospitalized when the infection returned. He subsequently contracted dengue, and due to his severely weakened immune system, his red blood cell count dropped dramatically.

It was only after a bone marrow test conducted on March 26 that he was confirmed to have stage four HLH.

Shapoor is currently accompanied in Delhi by his brother Ghamai Zadran, his wife, and former teammate Asghar Afghan. This disease, which typically affects children, causes severe damage to the liver, spleen, and bone marrow when it infects adults.

Cricket fans worldwide are praying for the recovery of Shapoor, who played a vital role in the rise of Afghanistan in world cricket and hit the winning boundary in the historic victory against Scotland in the 2015 World Cup. The cricket community is providing all possible support for his treatment expenses and management.