A South Australian cricket club is in mourning after one of its players collapsed during a game played in extreme heat on Saturday, and later died. Temperatures were above 40C as Old Concordians were playing against rivals Prince Alfred Old Collegians at Concordia College when Junaid Zafar Khan had a medical episode at about 4pm local time. Paramedics were called to the scene and performed CPR but could not revive Khan, who was in his 40s.
Having already fielded for 40 overs, Khan had then been batting out in the middle for seven overs when he became unwell. The Adelaide Turf Cricket Association playing conditions state that games must be cancelled if the mercury exceeds 42C during a match, and if it is forecast at 40C or over before the match.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Adelaide reached a top of 41.7C on Saturday, which exceeded the forecast high by 2.7C. Old Collegians released a statement on Saturday confirming the sad news. “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,” the statement read. “Despite the best efforts of paramedics, he sadly did not survive. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”
It’s understood the cricketer came to Australia from Pakistan in 2013 to begin a career in the tech industry, and that his wife had just arrived only months earlier to join him.
Junaid Zafar Khan, a Pakistani cricketer, lost his life on the field because of the extreme heat. The shocking incident took place around 4 p.m., and an ambulance was called immediately. Junaid Khan, a member of the Old Concordians’ Cricket Club, fielded for 40 overs and then went on to remain unbeaten on 16 runs against Prince Alfred Old Collegians at Concordia College in Adelaide. According to Daily Mail, though he was fasting during Ramadan, he had been consuming water all day, as exemptions permit Muslims to do so when not feeling well.
The Old Collegians Cricket Club expressed their grief, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of a valued member who tragically suffered a medical episode while playing. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he could not be saved. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends, and teammates.”
The Adelaide Turf Cricket Association has set some rules regarding extreme weather, which state that the matches will be suspended if the temperature exceeds 42°C. Matches can proceed in temperatures up to 40°C but must include extra hydration breaks and rest times to protect the players.
Junaid Zafar Khan’s tragic passing emphasizes the importance of safety measures in sports, particularly in extreme weather conditions. It highlights the need for players, organizers, and associations to continuously reassess the rules regarding heat and hydration to prevent future tragedies. As the community mourns the loss of a promising talent, the situation serves as a somber reminder of the real dangers athletes may face.
The cricket community and beyond have rallied in support of Khan’s family, with many calling for reforms to protect players in environments where extreme temperatures pose a serious risk.
