Australian cricketer of Pakistani descent dies while playing match in 41°C heat

A Pakistan-based cricketer passed away while playing a match in Adelaide city of Australia, under extreme weather conditions, with temperatures soaring above 40°C.

Junaid Zafar Khan, 40, collapsed while fielding at around 4:00 PM on Saturday at Concordia College Oval. The event was held despite the mercury hitting 41.7°C.

According to reports, Khan had batted for seven overs and fielded for 40 overs before suddenly losing consciousness. An ambulance was immediately called, and he was rushed to the hospital, but despite medical efforts, he could not be revived.

One of his close friends shared that while Khan observed fasts during Ramadan, he had been drinking water throughout the match due to the extreme heat.

Khan’s club expressed deep sorrow over his sudden death, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of a member of the Old Concordians Cricket Club, who tragically suffered a medical episode while playing on the Concordia College oval today.”

Acknowledging the attempts of the paramedics, it stated, “Despite their efforts, he sadly could not survive.”

Hasan Anjum, a friend of the deceased, said that “it was a huge loss, he was destined for very big things in his life.”

Notably, the matches were played in extremely hot conditions but with special precautions, such as extra breaks for players to rehydrate after absorbing heat while playing in the open ground.

Apart from supporting Junaid’s family in Australia, the Pakistani Australian Association for South Australia set up a fund facility for the family of a deceased cricketer and also requested to respect privacy by refraining from sharing his photos on social media.