| Name | Shafiqullah Ghafari |
| Date of Birth | 08/10/2001 |
| Age | 24 |
| Nationality | Afghan |
| Player Status | Available |
| Playing Role | Bowling All-Rounder (Spin) |
| Bowling Style | RA Leg Spin |
| Batting Style | RH Middle Order Bat |
| Entry Route (US/CAN) | |
| Major Teams | Durham, Afghanistan U19s, Boost Defenders, Kabul Region, Mis Ainak Knights, Band-e-Amir Region, Sylhet Strikers |
| Coaching Qualifications | ECB Core Coach |
Shafiqullah Ghafari is an Afghan refugee whose remarkable journey through North East club cricket has now earned him County honours.
In recent years, the leg-spinner has been a standout for Richmondshire, one of the powerhouse clubs in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League. While his lower-order hitting has contributed 1,488 runs at 18.84, it’s with the ball that he has truly excelled, earning a well-deserved Durham call-up following his three-season stint (2022, 2024–25).
Ghafari made an immediate impact in 2022, claiming 100 wickets at 15.39 across league and cup competitions, alongside 424 runs at 14.62. He returned in 2024 with another outstanding campaign, taking 99 wickets at 10.60 and adding 630 runs at 26.25, including a blistering 80-ball 109. His hot streak continued into 2025, where he picked up 81 wickets at 13.64 and 434 runs at 16.69.
Across his three seasons with Richmondshire, Ghafari amassed an incredible 280 wickets at 13.19, including 20 five-wicket hauls, with an economy rate of 3.82 and a strike rate of 20.69.
September 2025 marked a major turning point. Following confirmation of his refugee status, Ghafari was immediately drafted into Durham’s setup, featuring in two County 2nd XI matches (against Middlesex and Glamorgan). On 15 September, he made his full County debut for Durham against Worcestershire — the beginning of what promises to be a long and successful career in the County game.
Rewinding to his early years in Afghanistan, Ghafari first rose to international prominence at the ICC U19 World Cup in South Africa (January 2020). He finished as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets at just 7.00 apiece, delivered at an economy of 2.45. His campaign began in stunning fashion with record-breaking figures of 6-15 against hosts South Africa — the best by any Afghan in U19 World Cup history. He followed up with notable hauls of 5-23 (v UAE), 4-15 (v South Africa), and key contributions against Pakistan and Australia, finishing just behind IPL star Ravi Bishnoi (17 wickets at 10.64).
Back home, Ghafari also made his mark in Afghan domestic cricket. Representing Band-e-Amir Region in the Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-Day Tournament, he collected 39 wickets at 26.66 across 12 matches, while adding 293 runs at 18.31 with two half-centuries, underlining his all-round credentials — before emigrating to the UK.
Today, Ghafari is regarded as one of the most exciting spinners in the North East. With County cricket now under his belt, he is eager to push on and make his mark not only in the English game but also on the global franchise circuit.
| Team (Season) | Runs | Ave | Wkts | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmondshire (2025) | 434 | 17.36 | 84 | 13.63 |
| Richmondshire (2024) | 630 | 26.25 | 99 | 10.60 |
| Richmondshire (2022) | 424 | 14.62 | 100 | 15.39 |
| Name | Shafiqullah Ghafari |
| Date of Birth | 08/10/2001 |
| Age | 24 |
| Nationality | Afghan |
| Player Status | Available |
| Playing Role | Bowling All-Rounder (Spin) |
| Player Status | Available |
| Bowling Style | RA Leg Spin |
| Batting Style | RH Middle Order Bat |
| Entry Route (US/CAN) | |
| Major Teams | Durham, Afghanistan U19s, Boost Defenders, Kabul Region, Mis Ainak Knights, Band-e-Amir Region, Sylhet Strikers |
| Coaching Qualifications | ECB Core Coach |
Shafiqullah Ghafari is an Afghan refugee whose remarkable journey through North East club cricket has now earned him County honours.
In recent years, the leg-spinner has been a standout for Richmondshire, one of the powerhouse clubs in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League. While his lower-order hitting has contributed 1,488 runs at 18.84, it’s with the ball that he has truly excelled, earning a well-deserved Durham call-up following his three-season stint (2022, 2024–25).
Ghafari made an immediate impact in 2022, claiming 100 wickets at 15.39 across league and cup competitions, alongside 424 runs at 14.62. He returned in 2024 with another outstanding campaign, taking 99 wickets at 10.60 and adding 630 runs at 26.25, including a blistering 80-ball 109. His hot streak continued into 2025, where he picked up 81 wickets at 13.64 and 434 runs at 16.69.
Across his three seasons with Richmondshire, Ghafari amassed an incredible 280 wickets at 13.19, including 20 five-wicket hauls, with an economy rate of 3.82 and a strike rate of 20.69.
September 2025 marked a major turning point. Following confirmation of his refugee status, Ghafari was immediately drafted into Durham’s setup, featuring in two County 2nd XI matches (against Middlesex and Glamorgan). On 15 September, he made his full County debut for Durham against Worcestershire — the beginning of what promises to be a long and successful career in the County game.
Rewinding to his early years in Afghanistan, Ghafari first rose to international prominence at the ICC U19 World Cup in South Africa (January 2020). He finished as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets at just 7.00 apiece, delivered at an economy of 2.45. His campaign began in stunning fashion with record-breaking figures of 6-15 against hosts South Africa — the best by any Afghan in U19 World Cup history. He followed up with notable hauls of 5-23 (v UAE), 4-15 (v South Africa), and key contributions against Pakistan and Australia, finishing just behind IPL star Ravi Bishnoi (17 wickets at 10.64).
Back home, Ghafari also made his mark in Afghan domestic cricket. Representing Band-e-Amir Region in the Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-Day Tournament, he collected 39 wickets at 26.66 across 12 matches, while adding 293 runs at 18.31 with two half-centuries, underlining his all-round credentials — before emigrating to the UK.
Today, Ghafari is regarded as one of the most exciting spinners in the North East. With County cricket now under his belt, he is eager to push on and make his mark not only in the English game but also on the global franchise circuit.
| Team (Season) | Runs | Ave | Wkts | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmondshire (2025) | 434 | 17.36 | 84 | 13.63 |
| Richmondshire (2024) | 630 | 26.25 | 99 | 10.60 |
| Richmondshire (2022) | 424 | 14.62 | 100 | 15.39 |
