Durham's Shafiqullah Ghafari signs one-year contract extension
Ghafari extended his contract after taking 16 wickets in the One-Day Cup, including career-best figures of 4-36 against Lancashire.
Durham leg-spinner Shafiqullah Ghafari signed a one-year contract extension to remain at the club for the 2027 season. The 24-year-old made 10 appearances in the One-Day Cup during the 2026 campaign, helping Durham reach the semi-final.
Ghafari took career-best figures of 4-36 against Lancashire at Old Trafford in August and finished as the club's leading wicket-taker in the competition with 16 wickets. He was born in Afghanistan but successfully claimed asylum in England.
Ghafari made one County Championship appearance during Durham's Division Two promotion success and took 65 wickets in 23 games for Richmondshire in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League.
CricHubb Take
Ghafari's limited Championship opportunities suggest Durham sees him primarily as a white-ball option despite his first-class potential.