DURHAM — In a move that underscores the shifting, globalized nature of modern county cricket, Durham County Cricket Club has announced a significant signing for its 2026 campaign, securing the services of Afghan leg-spinner Shafiqullah Ghafari. The news arrives alongside confirmation that Dutch all-rounder Bas de Leede will depart the club at the end of the 2025 season to focus on his international duties with the Netherlands.
The dual announcements highlight the contrasting pathways of international cricketers within the domestic English structure. For Ghafari, a 22-year-old wrist-spinner who has already made waves in franchise leagues, the Durham contract represents a crucial step into the first-class arena and a long-term commitment to developing his red-ball game. For de Leede, a pivotal figure in the Dutch national side, the increasing demands of representing an Associate nation at the highest level have necessitated a difficult choice.
Ghafari: A Diamond from the Afghan Rough
Shafiqullah Ghafari is not an entirely unknown quantity in the North East. The young leggie impressed during a trial period with Durham’s Second XI in the 2023 season, where his control, sharp turn, and potent googly caught the eye of coaches and scouts. His journey, however, began on the dusty pitches of Kabul. A product of the burgeoning Afghan cricket system, Ghafari first announced himself on the global stage during the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. In a stunning performance against South Africa, he recorded figures of 6/15, showcasing a rare maturity and guile for his age.
Since then, his career has followed a trajectory familiar to many talented Afghan cricketers: rapid exposure to high-pressure T20 cricket. He has featured in the Afghanistan Premier League (APL), the Lanka Premier League (LPL), and most notably, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the Multan Sultans. It is in these cauldrons that he has honed his skills against world-class batters. Durham’s Director of Cricket, Marcus North, was effusive in his praise, stating, "Shafiqullah is a tremendously exciting talent. We saw his potential firsthand, and his ability to attack and take wickets in the middle overs is a real asset we want to nurture."
What Ghafari Brings to the Riverside
The signing is a strategic one for Durham, who have historically benefitted from the contributions of overseas spinners. Ghafari’s primary role will be to provide a wicket-taking threat in the Vitality Blast, where leg-spin has become a premium commodity. However, the club has explicitly outlined its intention to develop him across all formats. His contract, effective for the 2026 season, suggests a patient, long-term project. Key attributes Durham will look to harness include:
- Wrist-Spin Variety: A classic leg-break, a well-disguised googly, and a developing flipper.
- Temperament: Proven experience in high-stakes franchise environments despite his youth.
- Fielding Prowess: He is regarded as an excellent, agile fielder—a non-negotiable in modern cricket.
North expanded on the thinking behind the deal: "Securing Shafiqullah for 2026 gives us a fantastic opportunity to integrate him into our environment well ahead of time. He’ll have the chance to acclimatise, work with our coaching staff led by Ryan Campbell, and understand the demands of English conditions. We see him as a key part of our bowling attack for years to come."
De Leede Departs: The Demands of an Associate Nation
The announcement regarding Bas de Leede brings a tinge of sadness to the strategic optimism surrounding Ghafari’s signing. The 24-year-old Dutch international has been a popular and effective member of the Durham squad since joining, contributing vital runs and wickets across formats. His decision to leave is rooted in the unprecedented schedule facing the Netherlands cricket team. As a top-tier Associate nation, the Dutch now regularly feature in ICC FTP (Future Tours Programme) series, World Cup Super Leagues, and global tournaments.
De Leede, as a genuine all-format pillar for his country, faces a calendar increasingly packed with international commitments. Juggling these with the rigorous demands of a full English county season has become unsustainable. In a statement, de Leede expressed his gratitude and the difficulty of the decision: "Durham has been an incredible home for me, and I’ve loved every minute representing the club. However, with the Netherlands playing more and more high-level cricket, I need to prioritise my body and my preparation for my national team. It’s a tough call, but the right one for this stage of my career."
His departure will leave a notable gap. De Leede’s gritty lower-order batting and skillful medium-pace bowling have rescued Durham on numerous occasions. His standout performance—a blistering 123 off 92 balls in a One-Day Cup match—epitomized his value as a clutch player. Marcus North acknowledged the loss, saying, "Bas has been an outstanding professional and a great ambassador. We fully understand and support his desire to focus on the Netherlands. He leaves with our very best wishes."
A Reflection of Cricket’s New Landscape
These two pieces of club business, announced in tandem, offer a microcosm of contemporary cricket’s dynamics. On one hand, clubs like Durham are casting their nets wider than ever, identifying and investing in raw talent from non-traditional cricketing nations, offering a pathway to first-class sophistication. On the other, the rise of competitive Associate cricket, fueled by the ICC’s expanded events and more structured calendars, is forcing players from these nations to make career-defining choices about their availability.
For Durham, the 2025 season will now involve managing de Leede’s final contributions while laying the groundwork for Ghafari’s future integration. The club will likely re-enter the market for an interim overseas player to cover the gap in 2025 before the Afghan spinner arrives. For fans, it is a bittersweet moment—saying farewell to a reliable and likable contributor, while eagerly anticipating the arrival of a mysterious and potentially match-winning talent from a cricketing nation renowned for producing just that.
The coming years will reveal whether Shafiqullah Ghafari can translate his white-ball promise into consistent County Championship performances, adapting his craft to the damp, green pitches of early-season England. If he succeeds, Durham will have secured a gem. As for Bas de Leede, his focus now shifts entirely to steering the Netherlands to further historic achievements on the world stage, carrying with him the experience and toughness forged in the crucible of county cricket.