Yorkshire the place to be for Azeem
YORKSHIRE’S off-spinning all-rounder Azeem Rafiq has signed a new one-year deal with the county.
Rafiq, 26, only penned a one-year deal in September having returned to the club in June though he is now contracted with the White Rose until December 2018.
He was originally released in 2014 though made a remarkable return last year, finishing the 2016 campaign as the club’s joint second highest wicket-taker in the T20 Blast competition with 15 scalps.
Rafiq said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Obviously it’s nice that the club has shown faith in me and have backed me again. It’s been nice to try and make a difference wherever I can.
“You put all the hard work in during the winter and the most pleasing aspect is where we find ourselves in the One-Day Cup competition at the moment and in the County Championship it has been a lovely start too – long may that continue.
“You’re always working hard to make sure you give yourself the best chance and I’m absolutely chuffed to bits with how it is going for me personally. More importantly we’re winning games together as a Yorkshire side and that’s by far the most pleasing part.”
Rafiq has impressed with his performances in the 50-over game this season, especially in the absence of England all-rounder Adil Rashid, and is currently Yorkshire’s leading wickettaker in this season’s One-Day Cup with 15 dismissals.
He added: “Big thanks must go to Andrew Gale and the coaching staff for having that faith in me.
“You don’t want to look too far ahead. I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but I just want to make sure I turn up every day and give my all for the White Rose and we’ll see where that takes me personally.
“But hopefully I can help contribute towards Yorkshire winning silverware and that’s what I get out of bed for and what gives me the real thrill every day.” Having left the club a few years ago, Azeem Rafiq may have feared he would never get another chance at Yorkshire. But he returned and performed well. Only good performances earn contracts so credit to him.