Pakistani Cricketer, Junaid Khan passes away due to extreme heat during match

Junaid Zafar Khan a Pakistani Cricketer who has been playing a cricket match against rivals Prince Alfred Old Collegians at Concordia College in Adelaide has died due to extreme weather conditions at the ground.

According to multiple resources, Junaid collapsed on the field due to extreme heat at a temperature over 40 degrees. He was part of the Old Concordians and was fielding on the ground when the tragedy took place.

Junaid has been playing on behalf of  Old Concordians and was facing the Prince Alfred Old Collegians at Concordia College in Adelaide. He earlier fielded for 40 overs and then took on the batting duties where he scored unbeaten 16 before collapsing on field at around 4 PM. Following the incident, a paramedic team arrived and tried to get Junaid in Senses but failed in doing so. According to a news.com.au report, Khan moved to Adelaide from Pakistan in 2013 to work in the tech industry.

Praying Tributes for Junaid

Soon after the tragic death incident of a player, the old Collegian team released a statement about the death, reading  “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.”

A cricketing match played under extreme heat, between the Old Concordians and Prince Alfred Old Collegians, has ended in disaster.

A player, aged in his 40’s, dying on the field – close friends and former team mates left stunned by the sudden death. #9News pic.twitter.com/4VrLbdHk1K

— 9News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) March 16, 2025

A friend who knew Khan for more than a decade paid tribute to him after his death. ‘[He] always liked to have a laugh, he always had something to say to cheer people up,’ Hasan Anjum said.

‘He was an extremely smart, sharp and savvy man. He just enjoyed helping people.’It’s a huge loss, he was destined for very big things in his life.‘

The reason for the death remains unknown. According to a Daily Mail report, the cricketer fasted for Ramadan, A holy month, during which Islamic people abstain from food and water from dawn to sunset. But a friend told the publication that he had been drinking water throughout the day. Muslims can drink water during daylight hours during Ramadan if they feel ill.