Durham have signed former Afghanistan U19 spinner Shafiqullah Ghafari as a locally qualified player for the 2026 season, following the 24-year-old's successful asylum claim.
Ghafari played for Durham in their final two matches of the 2025 County Championship season, taking four wickets against Yorkshire at Headingley. Prior to making his Durham debut, the last time Ghafari had played first-class cricket was in Afghanistan for Amo Region in 2022.
The 24-year-old qualifies for Durham as a local player after making a successful asylum claim. Speaking on signing his county contract, Ghafari said: “The past three years have been some of the hardest of my life filled with challenges, sacrifices, and moments that tested my spirit. But every struggle made me stronger and reminded me why I love this game so deeply.
“Today, I’m truly proud and grateful to return to professional cricket. This comeback is not just about me it’s about growth, perseverance, and never giving up on what you love.”
Shafiqullah Ghafari x 2026. 🇦🇫✍️
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) February 3, 2026
We are pleased to announce Shafiqullah Ghafari has signed a one-year deal with Durham. ⬇️#ForTheNorth
Who is Shafiqullah Ghafari, Durham's new leg-spinner?
Ghafari made his first-class debut for Kabul as a teenager in 2019. He took four wickets on debut, playing alongside future Afghanistan internationals Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Naveen-ul-Haq. He went on to play in the 2020 U19 World Cup, returning figures of 6-15 in the opening game of the tournament against South Africa. Across the tournament, Ghafari took 16 wickets at an average of seven, finishing second on the wicket-taking chart behind Ravi Bishnoi. He was named in the ICC's team of the tournament.
The following year, he was picked up by Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL draft, and played one match in the Bangladesh Premier League in 2023.
Since residing in the UK, Ghafari has impressed while playing club cricket for Richmondshire in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League. Over the last three seasons, he has taken almost 300 wickets at an average of less than 14.
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