Shapoor Zadran played for Afghanistan from 2009-2020, featuring in 44 ODIs and 36 T20Is.
Former Afghanistan pacer Shapoor Zadran is currently in critical condition and battling for his life in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a New Delhi hospital.
Diagnosed with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening immune disorder, the 38-year-old has been undergoing treatment since January 2026.
Zadran is suffering from an advanced form of HLH, which causes the immune system to become dangerously overactive, leading to severe hyperinflammation and damage to vital organs like the bone marrow, liver, and spleen.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, his brother Ghamai Zadran revealed that Shapoor was able to get his Indian visa expedited following intervention from Afghanistan's T20I skipper Rashid Khan and ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf.
Ashraf approached ICC chairman Jay Shah, while Rashid reached out to his connections in the franchise circuit (Gujarat Titans and teams owned by the Mumbai Indians in other leagues).
Shapoor reached India on January 18 and was subsequently admitted to a hospital, while he fell ill for the first time in October last year.
Ghamai said the illness was complicated by severe infections, including tuberculosis (TB) which spread to his brain.
"It was a very serious infection," Ghamai told ESPNcricinfo. "His whole body was affected by the infection, including TB (tuberculosis). It also spread to his brain, which was revealed after an MRI and CT scan."
Shapoor was initially discharged after responding well to treatment but experienced a relapse approximately 20 days later.
"The doctor said we could come in frequently for check-ups. He (Shapoor) was feeling good for about 20 days before he got the infection again. Then we admitted him to the hospital again," Ghamai said.
"He developed a fever and later tested positive for dengue. His immunity was very weak, as his red blood cell count had dropped severely," Ghamai added.
Shapoor Zadran played for Afghanistan from 2009-2020, featuring in 44 ODIs and 36 T20Is. He took 80 international wickets and played a key role during the team’s rise in international cricket.