Pakistani-origin cricketer Junaid Zafar Khan, aged in his 40s, tragically passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025, after collapsing during a match in Adelaide, Australia. Khan was batting for the Old Concordians against Prince Alfred Old Collegians at Concordia College Oval when he suffered a medical episode around 4 p.m. local time. Despite prompt medical attention, including CPR administered by paramedics, he could not be revived. At the time of the incident, temperatures in Adelaide had soared above 40°C. According to Adelaide Turf Cricket Association rules, matches must be canceled if temperatures exceed 42°C; however, games can proceed in conditions up to 40°C with specific modifications.
Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, who is the higher commissioner for Pakistan to the Commonwealth of Australia, put out a message on his official X account, to convey his condolences to the Pakistani-Australian’s family. He said, “ Deeply saddened by the passing of young Pakistani-Australian Junaid Zafar Khan while playing cricket.”
Other tragic incidents in sports due to extreme weather
This tragic event has sparked discussions about the risks associated with playing sports in extreme heat and the importance of adhering to safety protocols to prevent heat-related illnesses. However, extreme weather conditions, such as excessive heat and cold have tragically led to several fatalities and serious incidents in sports in the past. Following are some of these incidents.
In 2010 in UAE, U.S. open-water swimmer Fran Crippen died from heat exhaustion during a long-distance race in the Persian Gulf, where water temperatures were dangerously high. In 2021 in China during an ultramarathon event, twenty-one runners died due to extreme cold and sudden weather changes during the 100-km race in the Gansu province.
