Picture Credit: X

Picture Credit: X

Afghanistan’s lanky pacer Shapoor Zadran has announced retirement from international career, after serving his side for 11 years from 2009 to 2020. Taking to X, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) released a post and expressed gratitude towards their stalwart who played a vital role in making Afghanistan a potent force in the limited-over formats.

Hailing Shapoor’s contribution in the Afghan team, a part of ACB’s post on X read, “ACB thanks Shapoor Zadran for his contribution to the rise of Afghanistan cricket and wish him the best of luck for the future.”

Shapoor Zadran calls time on his 11-year stint with Afghanistan cricket team

Shapoor broke into international cricket in August 2009, with his appearance against the Netherlands at an ODI contest in Amstelveen. His side lost the game by a close margin of eight runs while chasing a mere 189 but the left-handed quick grabbed eyeballs with his majestic bowling performance. In the losing cause, he gave a tough time to the Dutch side, finishing with 4/24 figures in his 10-over spell.

In the 50-over format, Shapoor claimed 43 wickets in 44 matches at an economy of 4.90 and an average of 36.95. Zadran was the highest wicket-taker for Afghanistan in their debut World Cup in 2015, held in Australia and New Zealand. Appearing in just six games, he clinched 10 wickets at an economy of 5.19.  

The pacer also showed up in 36 T20Is for Afghanistan and hunted 37 batters at an economy of 7.83. In the T20 World Cup 2012, Afghanistan gave a headache to the MS Dhoni-led India in the Group A game, riding on his spunky bowling show. Spearheading his side’s pace attack valiantly, he removed veterans Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag in the initial overs of the game and put India in trouble. However, his team lost the match to the Men in Blue by 23 runs but he received appreciation for his superb bowling. 

Absence from international cricket since 2020 led Shapoor to retire

Shapoor last donned the Afghan jersey in March 2020, against Ireland at the T20I game held in Noida. In his team’s 21-run triumph, he chipped in with 1/25 figures in his four overs. Following the outing against the Irish side, he didn’t get a chance to play for Afghanistan again in international career. Serving the Afghan side in 80 international matches, he added as many international wickets to his profile.