Former Afghanistan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran is currently fighting for his life at a hospital in New Delhi, with his family making an urgent appeal for A-positive blood donors to support his treatment.
The 30-year-old cricketer is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after being diagnosed with stage four Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening immune condition that causes severe inflammation and can damage vital organs.
Family Makes Emotional Appeal For Blood Donations
Zadran’s younger brother, Ghamai Zadran, shared an emotional message on social media, urging the public to step forward and donate blood to help save the former national cricketer.
In his appeal posted on Instagram, Ghamai described the situation as extremely critical and called on supporters to pray and assist in any way possible.
“My brother, national hero Shapoor Zadran, is currently in a concerning health condition,” he wrote. “With your prayers, we stand by our national hero. Due to a deficiency and urgent need, he is in critical need of blood.”
Diagnosis Revealed After Months Of Illness
According to family members, Zadran first fell ill in October last year, after which doctors advised that he seek advanced medical treatment in India.
With the support of Afghanistan cricket star Rashid Khan and Mirwais Ashraf of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, Zadran’s medical visa was fast-tracked.
He was admitted to a hospital in New Delhi on January 18, where further tests were conducted. A bone marrow examination in late March confirmed that he was suffering from stage four HLH, significantly worsening his condition.
Dengue Infection Complicates Recovery
Family members revealed that Zadran’s health briefly showed signs of improvement before complications arose again.
Speaking about his condition, Ghamai explained that Zadran developed a fever and later tested positive for Dengue, which further weakened his already fragile immune system.
Doctors noted that his red blood cell count dropped sharply, leaving him with very low energy levels and increasing the risk of complications.
However, there are still signs of hope. Ghamai shared that recent steroid treatment appears to be helping stabilize his condition, offering encouragement to the family and supporters.
A Veteran Of Afghanistan’s Early Cricket Journey
Shapoor Zadran represented Afghanistan during a crucial phase in the nation’s rise in international cricket.
Between 2009 and 2020, he played 44 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 36 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for the national side, becoming one of Afghanistan’s early fast-bowling stars.
His contributions were widely recognised during the formative years of Afghan cricket, making him a respected figure among fans and teammates alike.
What Is Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)?
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis is a severe immune disorder in which the body’s immune system becomes dangerously overactive.
This hyperinflammation can lead to damage in multiple organs, including:
- Bone marrow
- Liver
- Spleen
- Lymph nodes
If not treated promptly, HLH can become life-threatening, requiring intensive medical care, blood support and specialized treatment.