Bas de Leede’s time at Durham has ended after three seasons, with the Netherlands all-rounder choosing to centre his attention on international cricket. The 26-year-old, who qualifies as a local player through an ancestral visa, managed only two appearances for the county last summer because of a back problem and national-team duty, including the European T20 World Cup qualifiers.
Marcus North, Durham’s director of cricket, said the decision had been reached amicably. “After consultation with Bas we fully understand his decision to step back from county commitments at Durham,” North explained. “Playing for the Netherlands is something Bas is extremely passionate about and with the rigorous county schedule, Bas wishes to focus on playing for the Dutch side and remaining as fit as he can be.”
De Leede returned to action this week in Colombo, featuring in a World Cup warm-up against Zimbabwe, and is expected to be a central figure for the Dutch during the tournament. He leaves Durham having played 47 matches across formats, contributing 1,508 runs and 48 wickets.
Durham, preparing for life back in Division Two after relegation, have moved quickly to reinforce their squad, handing leg-spinning all-rounder Shafiqullah Ghafari a one-year contract as a locally qualified cricketer. The 23-year-old Afghan-born bowler recently completed a successful asylum process and impressed at the tail end of last season, taking five wickets in two County Championship fixtures.
“We’re delighted to have Shafiqullah on board for next season as a locally qualified player,” North noted. “He’s a cricketer we’ve been watching closely during his time in club cricket in the area. Shafiqullah brings us another all format option with his legspin, and this opportunity is thoroughly deserved.”
Ghafari’s path back to the professional game has been anything but straightforward. “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,” he reflected. “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. Now that I’m back, my full focus and energy are on giving everything I have for my club — to work harder than ever, to perform, and to make every moment count.”
Ghafari first caught Durham’s eye while taking 88 league wickets for Richmondshire in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League, combining sharp googlies with an increasingly reliable lower-order technique. Coaches believe his variations will suit northern pitches that often reward flight and drift early in the summer.
The county’s broader recruitment drive continues. South African-born batter David Bedingham has re-signed as an overseas player, while pace-bowling all-rounder Kasey Aldridge and young keeper Archie Bailey have arrived from Somerset and Gloucestershire respectively. Durham have lost Mitchell Killeen to Essex and Paul Coughlin to Lancashire, but could have England captain Ben Stokes available for a handful of April fixtures before the Test calendar ramps up.
For now, attention turns to filling de Leede’s middle-order overs and runs, and to easing Ghafari into a full county schedule—a demanding slate that, North admits, “will test depth across all departments”.
