FORMER first-class cricketer in Pakistan, Zafar Sarfraz passed away on April 13 in Peshawar after contracting COVID-19. He was 50.
Sarfraz tested positive for the disease on April 7, and was admitted to a private hospital in the city. His condition worsened in a week.
On April 12, he was put under intensive care, and was on the ventilator, before he succumbed to the illness on April 13.
A left-handed batsman, Zafar played 15 first-class games and nine List-A games in a domestic career from 1988-89 to 1994-95.
He scored 616 runs at an average of 28, including four first-class half-centuries for Peshawar. After retirement, he went on to coach the Peshawar senior side as well as the Under-19s.
Zafar was the elder brother of international cricketer Akhtar Sarfraz, who represented Pakistan in four ODIs between 1997 and 1998. Akhtar passed away due to colon cancer at the age of 43 in June last year.
Their brother Irfan Sarfraz has also represented Peshawar in first-class cricket.
There’s deep healing in the communityiStock
