Azeem Rafiq signs new one-year Yorkshire deal

Off-spinner Azeem Rafiq has extended his stay with Yorkshire after signing a new one-year contract with the county.

The new deal will see the bowler, who returned to the county last summer following his release in 2014, remain at Headingley until December 2018.

"I'm absolutely delighted," Rafiq said. "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'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.

"Big thanks must go to Andrew Gale and the coaching staff for having that faith in me."

Since making his senior debut against Sussex in 2009, Rafiq has gone on to make 34 first-class appearances for the Division 1 side, taking 67 wickets.

The spinner 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 wicket-taker in this season's Royal London One-Day Cup with 15 dismissals.

The 26-year-old's contributions with bat and ball have helped the Vikings to six wins from their opening eight matches of the competition, with the club sitting just one point behind leaders Worcestershire in the North Conference.

Confirmation of Rafiq's new deal comes after the off-spinner helped his side to victory over Leicestershire in the cup on Tuesday, taking two wickets and hitting a quick-fire 52 off just 30 balls.