Saif Zaib signs contract extension with Northamptonshire

The 23-year-old batting allrounder scored 842 runs across all formats in 2021 and picked up eight wickets

Saif Zaib has signed a contract extension with Northamptonshire to keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2023 season.

The 23-year-old batting allrounder scored 842 runs across all formats in 2021, including recording his maiden first-class century (135) against Sussex in May.

He also picked up eight wickets across the County Championship and Royal London Cup.

Commenting on his contract extension, Zaib said: "It was a really pleasing year for me personally, I wasn’t actually expecting to be playing that much if I’m honest. 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.

^{Saif Zaib batting for Northamptonshire during the Royal London Cup}

"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."

Looking ahead to next season, he continued: "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 One is a massive boost and I just really want to make my mark for Northamptonshire, that’s the aim."

Head coach, John Sadler, added: "It’s fantastic that Saif has extended his stay with us. 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."