Durham Sign Afghan Leg-Spinner Shafiqullah Ghafari for 2026

Durham have handed Afghan leg-spinner Shafiqullah Ghafari a one-year contract for the 2026 season after his brief but eye-catching stint at the end of last summer.

The 24-year-old played two Championship matches for the county, taking five wickets, and qualifies as a homegrown player following a successful asylum claim. He has been turning out for Richmondshire in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League.

'The past three years have been some of the hardest of my life,' Ghafari told Durham's website. 'But every struggle made me stronger and reminded me why I love this game so deeply.'

De Leede departs

All-rounder Bas de Leede is leaving Durham to concentrate on his international career with the Netherlands. The 26-year-old joined from Sussex in 2023, played 16 Championship games with a best of 103, and has 99 caps across 50-over and T20 cricket — he is part of the Dutch squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup.

Source: BBC Sport