Saif Zaib has signed an extension to his contract, keeping him at Northamptonshire until at least the end of 2023.
The 23-year-old impressed in 2021, scoring 842 runs across all formats and recording his maiden first-class century against Sussex in May.
“It was a really pleasing year for me personally, I wasn’t actually expecting to be playing that much if I’m honest.” Zaib said.
“So to be contributing as much as I did was really pleasing, you always want to add a little bit more but that’s something to work on for next season.”
Head Coach John Sadler was delighted with what Zaib had shown this year.
“It’s fantastic that Saif has extended his stay with us.” Sadler said.
“He’s a multi-format cricketer who has really improved this season in all aspects of his game so the Club were keen to get him locked in early.”
Zaib was a staple on Northamptonshire team sheets this season, appearing in all but one first-team fixture in 2021. He believed a more defined role had helped improve his game.
“It was nice to have a set plan and a set role to focus on, this year in the white ball stuff we talked about that finisher role at the end of the innings.
“But I don’t think of myself as a white ball specialist, I think I’ve got the ability to make runs in the longer form too.”
Northamptonshire will take their place in Division One of the LV= Insurance County Championship next season, a competition Zaib is hoping to leave his mark on.
“I really want to make an impact on the four day stuff in the coming year, this year was a nice start but I feel like there’s plenty more left in the tank in red ball.
“I want to keep contributing and win some silverware, being in Division 1 is a massive boost and I just really want to make my mark for Northamptonshire, that’s the aim.”