Blasts Keep Happening, We Need to Focus on Cricket: Shapoor Zadran

Such has been Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket that the problems back in the war-ravaged nation took the back seat. But, there is absolutely no denying that blasts and mass killing every now and then took the focus away from the game. Well, at the same time, it also affects the players.

Last month only, eight people were killed and dozens more wounded by multiple explosions during a cricket match in the eastern city of Jalalabad.

However, the blasts had occurred after evening prayers at a football stadium in the city that was hosting a cricket match at the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Afghanistan players seem to have learnt how to deal with it. Veteran Afghan pacer Shapoor Zadran admitted while it is heart-breaking that tragic incidents keep taking place before stating that as professional cricketers, they have no option but to move on.

“They (blasts) keep happening but we have to forget that. Every month there is an attack. We are on tour mostly, what option do we have? We have to put it behind and focus 100 percent on the game,” Shapoor told PTI.

Zadran is serving Afghanistan cricket for close to a decade now. Not surprisingly, the game has taken a toll on his body.

Known for his long hair, the pacer last played a first-class game in 2013. And as a result, he has not been named in the Afghanistan squad for their historic Test against India in Bengaluru from June ’14.

“It is disappointing to miss out but I have not been able to play four-day cricket because of injuries. I am fit now and can still hit 140 kmph consistently but I am focusing mainly on limited overs cricket,” he said.

For someone, who played in Afghanistan’s maiden World T20 and World Cup in 2010 and 2015 respectively, it is disappointing to miss out on the historic Test.

“I have been playing the game for 16 years now and it feels really proud to see that Afghanistan cricket has come such a long way. Never thought we would be playing a Test match against India,” he added.

Zadran further said that he still has a lot to offer on the cricket field.

“I think I still have a lot of cricket left in me. Will play as long as I am fit. I want to retire after playing a playing an international match in Afghanistan,” he insisted.

The pacer in the form of Shapoor Zadran concluded by expressing his desire of playing in the IPL and emulate the success of some of his compatriots.

“This time we had three players (Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Zadran) in the IPL. The number will only increase next season. I learnt a lot while playing the Bangladesh Premier League. Hopefully, I will get a chance in the IPL,” concluded Shapoor.