Rafiq taking his second chance with White Rose
HE WAS a teenage prodigy and Yorkshire’s youngest-ever captain but at 23 it appeared Azeem Rafiq might be lost to top-level cricket – until a White Rose renaissance in 2016.
Back in 2008 Rafiq made his first appearance for Yorkshire as a tender 17-year-old and played 97 games for them across all formats before his release two years ago.
By 2015 Rafiq had turned his attention to coaching and, last September, headed out to Dubai to explore further coaching opportunities and also to keep working on his batting and bowling with half an eye on returning to the county system this season.
It transpired somewhat unexpectedly with an opportunity to train with the England Lions at the behest of Peter Such over the winter that re-invigorated his game, and a more mature Rafiq has since completed an unexpected return to his home county.
He has been particularly impressive in Twenty20, with 11 wickets at an economy rate of 6.39, and will remain at Headingley until the end of the season.
“It’s all happened very quickly but it’s exciting to be able to come back into a winning team,” explained Rafiq, who is now 25.
“Last year I’d been offered a coaching opportunity in Dubai which I took up for six months, going over in September.
“It worked out that England Lions were out there and I was able to train with them. I knew Peter Such from the performance programme and he was very supportive. He has been brilliant.
“I’d wanted to take a break and try a few different things, and with the coaching I was able to work on my own game and teach the kids about enjoying themselves.
“When you come through it’s easy to forget that it’s a game and with age I’ve been able to get a bit more perspective.
“The coaching really helped with that. I was working with kids from 11 to 15 but I was also using what I was telling them to work on my own game.”
Rafiq returned from Dubai to play for Sheffield & Phoenix United where he reunited with former Yorkshire spinner Steve Oldham, who he knew from his time at Barnsley.
He continued to coach there and admits that was the final step in his rehabilitation for the rigours of first-class cricket once again.
He added: “I came back to play for Sheffield and that was a massive final piece to get back into the game.
“I really enjoyed my time there and I’d love to get the chance to play a few more games for them if the schedule allows.
“I’ve received a lot of support from family and friends, as well as (former Test spinner) Jack Birkenshaw, who has supported me throughout.”
Rafiq has signed through to the end of the season with Yorkshire but having gone from Premier League cricket to second XI and then into the county side in less than a month, he admits he’s not yet considered what the future will hold.
“I’m really enjoying being back, and for now the focus is on enjoying my cricket so I’ve not thought too much further ahead than that,” he said.
“I’ve not really had much time to digest it, but the lads have been brilliant and I’m really enjoying it.”