Azeem Rafiq - Yorkshire's Rising Star

Yorkshire has produced a host of talented players in the last 20 years with the likes of Michael Vaughan, Matthew Hoggard, Tim Bresnan and Adil Rashid all having graduated from the academy and represented England. The latest player hoping to emulate his county colleagues is Azeem Rafiq.

A talented all rounder who is still just 18 years of age, Rafiq has a maiden county hundred to his name and has claimed 10 wickets in his 4 county championship appearances for Yorkshire. The off-spinner is also England’s under 19 captain and this year led the young Lions to the quarter finals of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. With two of his club colleagues currently away on England duty - Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shaazad - this could be a defining season for the level headed youngster.

Blessed with natural ability, Rafiq realises that he will have to work hard and first impress in the second string. “I’m expecting to start in the second team this season but whatever chance I get given, I will try and take it with both hands. I just need to try and put runs and the wickets on the board and then no one can ignore me.”

There is certainly plenty of competition in the spin department at Yorkshire with Adil Rashid seen as one of the best young spinners in world cricket while David Wainwright is a very talented left arm spinner. Yet Rafiq sees no reason why all three bowlers could not be utilised in the same match.

“We have decided that our strength lies in the spin department so hopefully we will get pitches that suit us” Rafiq admits. “Dave Wainwright had a good season last year and was involved with the Lions in the winter and Adil has been around the England set up, so there is plenty of competition for places, but I can’t see why all three of us can’t play to be honest. “

Rafiq has plenty of confidence in his own ability, having trained with the Yorkshire first team squad for a couple of seasons he has bowled against the likes of former England captain Michael Vaughn and the classy Jacques Rudolph. This holds no fear for the off spinner who has already developed a range of deliveries including the mystical doosra – a delivery which spins in the opposite direction.

“For the last couple of years I have been working hard on a few variations and I have developed a doosra that comes out the front of my hand, but I am still working on getting the one that comes out of the back of the hand consistent,” says Rafiq. “At the moment I am only 18 and I just want to keep learning about the art of bowling off spin.”

The young Yorkshireman works hard on all aspects of his game and see’s himself as more than just a tail ender. “I would say that I am a genuine all rounder, at the moment the stats probably favour the bowling a bit more, but I see myself as a genuine all rounder,” he explains. “I just want to start scoring runs a little more consistently. I know I have the ability to score runs so I just need to put together a string of performances and show people what I can do with the bat.”

Having just returned from the under 19 World Cup, Rafiq believes the experience has only strengthened his desire to play at the highest level. “It was absolutely amazing; I loved every minute of it. International cricket is what I want to be part of in the future. Getting the chance to work with Mark Robinson was really good and I think it made a difference to my game on a personal level as well,” explained the all rounder. “It was just a shame that we got knocked out at the quarter-final stage. But if that team gets a chance to stay together for a year or two then I reckon we could beat the county first teams.”

Although just starting out in his cricketing career, Rafiq believes in his ability and hopes to prove he has the talent to represent England at the top level. “I just want to take it game by game, no matter what team I am playing in I will try and get the runs and the wickets, if I am doing that then I will see where that takes me. People won’t be able to ignore me for long if I am putting together performances.”

With an abundance of talent and a very level head, Rafiq will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow spinner Adil Rashid and quickly establish himself as a first class spinner and top batsman. Having represented England in every age bracket it seems the all rounder is destined to be another Yorkshire success story.

Azeem Rafiq is exclusively represented by Total Sport Promotions.