Junail Zafar Khan: Cricketer collapses and dies during match played in over 40C heat in Adelaide

Matt Shrivell
The Nightly
Junail Zafar Khan has died after he collapsed during a cricket match.
Junail Zafar Khan has died after he collapsed during a cricket match. Credit: The Nightly/Facebook

A cricketer has collapsed and died during a weekend match played in searing heat in South Australia.

Australia was gripped by a heatwave stretching across the country and temperatures tipped above 40C in Adelaide where Junail Zafar Khan was playing for the Prince Alfred Old Collegians.

Mr Khan fell to the pitch at Concordia College oval and emergency services were unable to revive the 40-year-old.

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“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 Old Concordians’ Cricket Club said in a statement released on Saturday.

“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.”

The Adelaide Turf Cricket Association bylaws state that games must be cancelled if temperatures exceed 42C during a match, however games can continue in up to 40C heat under special playing conditions.

Mr Khan moved to Adelaide from Pakistan in 2013 to work in the tech industry and was a ‘gem’ according to social media tributes.

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