Junaid Zafar Khan, a club cricketer in Adelaide, tragically passed away after collapsing on the field during a match played in extreme heat. Khan, in his 40s, was representing Old Concordians against Prince Alfred Old Collegians at Concordia College Oval on Saturday when he suffered a medical emergency around 4pm ACDT. Despite paramedics’ efforts to save him, Khan was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the time of the incident, the Bureau of Meteorology recorded temperatures above 40°C. Adelaide Turf Cricket Association bylaws mandate that games be cancelled if temperatures exceed 42°C, but matches are allowed to continue with modifications in up to 40°C heat.
Also Read: Notable Cricketers Who Got Married in 2024
The Old Concordians Cricket Club released a statement expressing their grief over Khan’s passing, offering condolences to his family, friends, and teammates. Khan, who moved to Adelaide from Pakistan in 2013 to pursue a career in tech, was remembered by those who knew him as a generous and kind individual.
Friends and teammates expressed their sorrow at the loss. “It’s a huge loss; he was destined for great things,” said Hasan Anjum, while close friend Najam Hassan described Khan as a “gem of a person.”
This tragic event occurs amid a severe heatwave affecting South Australia and other regions, with temperatures nearing 40°C in Sydney and Victoria.
