Australian Cricketer Dies After Suffering Heatstroke During Match in Adelaide

Junaid Zafar Khan, a cricket player of Pakistani descent, unfortunately died during a local cricket match between Old Concordians' Cricket Club and Prince Alfred Old Collegians. The Free Press Journal reported that on Saturday, March 15, while the match was being played, the temperature reached 41.7°C.

According to stories in the Australian media, Khan abruptly passed out while playing for the Old Concordia Cricket Club at the Concordia College Oval. The paramedics on the scene could not Revive Him. Interestingly, the temperature was much above 40 degrees at the time of the incident.

It was time for Junaid's team to bat after fielding for 40 overs in the sun. At approximately 4 p.m. local time in Adelaide, he unexpectedly passed out while batting undefeated on a 16-run total. Immediately after the event, an ambulance was dispatched to the location.  

Adelaide Cricket Tragedy:

Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of young Pakistani-Australian Junaid Zafar Khan while playing cricket. May Allah SWT rest him in eternal peace and give strength to his family in this difficult time. Indeed, to Allah SWT we belong, and to Him we all shall return. pic.twitter.com/84o0zxXU30

— Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri (@Zhchaudhri) March 16, 2025

After the paramedics were unable to revive him, he was subsequently pronounced dead. According to the statutes of the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association, cricket matches that are played in temperatures higher than 42 degrees Celsius must be cancelled. At the time of the tragedy, the contested match was reportedly being played at around 42 degrees.

According to a Daily Mail article, the individual was celebrating Ramadan. Despite fasting from sunrise to sunset for the whole holy month, a buddy of his told the same news organization that he had been drinking water all day. According to Islam, Muslims can drink water throughout the day during the auspicious month of Ramadan if they are experiencing unusually high levels of illness. 

The Old Concordians' Cricket Club issued an official statement after the person's untimely death. The Free Press Journal stated, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of a valued member of the Old Concordians’ Cricket Club, who tragically suffered a medical episode while playing on the Concordia College Oval today. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, he sadly did not survive. Thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time."

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