Durham extend Ghafari contract after 16-wicket One-Day Cup campaign

Durham have extended Shafiqullah Ghafari's contract for another year after the leg-spinner finished as their leading wicket-taker in the 2026 One-Day Cup. The club announced on 7 October that the 24-year-old would remain for the 2027 season, retaining a bowler who helped Durham reach the semi-finals of the 50-over competition.

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Ghafari took 16 wickets in that campaign and recorded his best List A figures of 4-36 against Lancashire at Old Trafford. BBC Sport reported that the performance came in August and that he made 10 appearances in the competition. His limited-overs contribution was considerably greater than his involvement in the County Championship, where he played once during Durham's successful Division Two promotion season.

That Championship appearance came in the final match against Lancashire in Manchester. Durham's announcement also noted that Ghafari had taken five wickets across two games for the county in 2025, following an earlier first-class record of 39 wickets in 12 matches. His return to the red-ball side at the end of 2026 preceded the agreement to continue his time at the club.

Alongside his county commitments, Ghafari has built a substantial record for Richmondshire in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League. According to BBC Sport, he took 65 wickets in 23 matches there during 2026. Durham said his totals across four seasons with Richmondshire had reached 345 wickets, with his batting aggregate approaching 2,000 runs.

The Afghanistan-born bowler previously represented his country at under-19 level. At the 2020 ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, he collected 16 wickets, including figures of 6-15 that Durham described as a tournament record for an Afghanistan player. His performances at that event form part of a career that has since included both county and league cricket in England.

In comments published by Durham, Ghafari said he was pleased to stay and wanted to keep contributing wickets in different formats next season. Director of cricket and high-performance coaching Ryan Campbell praised his bowling throughout the One-Day Cup run. Campbell also expressed confidence that another strong pre-season could help Ghafari develop further with both the red and white ball.