In a heartbreaking incident, Pakistan-origin cricketer Junaid Zafar Khan tragically passed away on the cricket field during a match played in extreme heat. On Saturday, Khan, a player for the Old Concordians' Cricket Club, collapsed after fielding for 40 overs and scoring an unbeaten 16 runs against the Prince Alfred Old Collegians at Concordia College in Adelaide. The temperature had soared to 41.7 degrees Celsius that afternoon.

Khan, who moved to Adelaide from Pakistan in 2013 to work in the tech industry, had been observing Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. However, it was reported that he had been drinking water throughout the day, as Muslims are permitted to hydrate if they feel unwell during daylight hours of Ramadan. Despite the efforts of paramedics, Khan could not survive the medical episode.

The Old Concordians’ Cricket Club expressed their deep sorrow in a statement, offering condolences to Khan's family, friends, and teammates. The tragic loss serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of playing in extreme weather conditions, particularly when the mercury reaches dangerously high levels.

While Adelaide Turf Cricket Association rules stipulate that games should be cancelled when temperatures exceed 42C, matches are allowed up to 40C with extra breaks for player safety. This incident raises critical concerns about player well-being and the need for stronger measures to protect athletes from extreme heat.