Shapoor Zadran: From Afghan Pace Spearhead to Fighting for Life in India

It was India's opening match in the 2012 T20 World Cup. A star-studded line-up brimming with confidence on the back of a historic ODI World Cup victory in 2011, they were pitted against an Afghanistan side still trying to figure out the whims and fancies of ICC events, with this being their second appearance in World Cups. Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag were the openers as India were asked to bat first by then-Afghan skipper Nawroz Mangal.

Facing a bowler of 6 ft 2.5 in stature is always a formidable task. Ask Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag even today, and they'll remember the name of Shapoor Zadran and how he blew the pair away in his opening spell of the World Cup, dismissing them for just 10 and 8 runs.

That well-built left-arm pacer is now bed-ridden, battling for his life in India. Shapoor Zadran suffering from rare disease. The man who once sprinted to the crease with flowing hair and a menacing left-arm angle is now grappling with an enemy that cannot be caught behind the stumps.

Shapoor, who will turn 39 this July, is suffering from Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). It is a rare and life-threatening condition where the immune system essentially turns on itself. Instead of protecting the body, the immune system begins to attack healthy tissues and organs, leading to hyper-inflammation and severe damage to the bone marrow, liver, and spleen.

"He's fighting very hard, just like he did in cricket. He never complains about pain or difficulty," Ghamai Zadran, Shapoor Zadran's younger brother.

While the disease predominantly strikes children, it can inflict adults susceptible to severe infection. Shapoor, who played 80 internationals for his country between 2009 and 2020, first felt unwell in October last year. What started as TB and a full-body infection eventually revealed its true, more sinister stage four HLH.

When the condition worsened, the medical advice in Kabul became unanimous. "Our doctor in Afghanistan advised us to come to India. Everyone said the treatment here is very good, and the whole world knows that India has some of the best medical care. That's why we came," Shapoor's younger brother, Ghamai Zadran, told TimesofIndia.com during an exclusive conversation.

Getting him to the right facility was a collective effort. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chairman Mirwais Ashraf and cricketer Rashid Khan used his extensive network to fast-track the process.

Shapoor arrived in India on January 18 and was immediately admitted to the intensive care unit of a New Delhi hospital. For the Zadran family, who traveled from around the world to be by his side, the medical care in India has been a source of comfort.

"Honestly, it is even better than we expected," Ghamai, who stays in Canada, added. "His doctor calls him a 'hero' and a 'legend'. The doctor is very experienced, the staff is excellent, and the hospital is great. They're taking really good care of him. We're very thankful."

Cricket is often called a gentleman's game, but for the Afghan team, it is a brotherhood forged in the fire of shared struggle. The support for Shapoor has been visceral. Former captain Asghar Afghan didn't just call; he came to the hospital for a week to help physically. Even now, he visits every few days to check on his old teammate.

"Raees Ahmadzai, Nawroz Mangal, Mohammad Nabi, they all call," Ghamai told this website. "During the World Cup, Rashid Khan and other players came to visit him. Even now, Rashid is in close touch with me. When Mumbai and Delhi had a match (in IPL), Allah Ghazanfar, who is playing for Mumbai Indians, came twice. He even offered to help shift him to Ambani Hospital if needed. Even yesterday, Afghanistan's former President Hamid Karzai called to speak with us."

Despite the high-profile visitors and the offers of aid, the family is adamant about not seeking money. "Alhamdulillah, our family is financially strong. We don't need money. We don't need financial support, just prayers. That's all we need, prayers," Ghamai emphasized.

Shapoor is a now successful businessman in Kabul, running a large company that manufactures door, window, and other home accessories.

The battle is slow. There are small improvements, but the condition remains serious. Shapoor, once the spearhead of the Afghan pace attack, now finds himself in the longest match of his life. He talks very little and lacks the energy for long conversations, but the spirit that saw him dismiss world-class openers in 2012 remains intact.

Ghamai concluded, "He's fighting very hard, just like he did in cricket. He never complains about pain or difficulty. He just says, 'I've fought all my life, and I'll fight this illness too.'"