Steelbacks skipper Cobb delighted as 'three-dimensional' Zaib signs new Northants deal

Steelbacks skipper Josh Cobb believes there is a lot more to come from 'three-dimensional' all-rounder Saif Zaib.
Saif Zaib (centre) celebrates claiming a catch in last season's T20 BlastSaif Zaib (centre) celebrates claiming a catch in last season's T20 Blast
Saif Zaib (centre) celebrates claiming a catch in last season's T20 Blast

The club received a boost this week when the 22-year-old put pen to paper on a new one-year contract extension, keeping him at the County Ground until the end of the summer of 2022.

And that is great news for Northants' white ball skipper Cobb, who feels the High Wycombe-born player has stacks of potential that he is only just beginning to realise.

Zaib has seemingly been one to watch at Wantage Road for many years now, having made his debut for Northants as a 15-year-old.

His progress has been steady, and mainly going on behind the scenes with some strong performances for the second team.

He has had chances in the first team over the years, but he never quite grasped them.

That all changed in the truncated summer of 2020, when in the T20 Blast in particular, Zaib showed some true glimpses of what he is really all about.

A brilliant fielder, as his amazing boundary catch in front of the Sky Sports cameras against Glamorgan at Edgbaston highlighted, Zaib also produced a couple of tidy performances with his left-arm spin and some crucial cameos with the bat.

Saif Zaib in bowling action for the Steelbacks in last season's T20 BlastSaif Zaib in bowling action for the Steelbacks in last season's T20 Blast
Saif Zaib in bowling action for the Steelbacks in last season's T20 Blast

One particularly eye-catching 28 not out from just 13 balls in the group stage win over Somerset at the County Ground was the standout.

Zaib's career stats don't exactly do his natural talent justice just yet, but Cobb believes his performances last summer will pave the way for him to really crack on and show what he can do in 2021.

“Saif has been around a while now and shown glimpses, but it was great to see him show everyone what we know he can do in the Twenty20s last year," the Steelbacks skipper told nccc.co.uk

"He’s a real three-dimensional cricketer who should be pushing for a key role in all three formats.

Saif Zaib hits out with the batSaif Zaib hits out with the bat
Saif Zaib hits out with the bat

“He’s always worked hard on his game but he’s being smart and learning alongside that now as well.

"When he’s going he’s a 360 degree batter who’s exciting to watch, so there’ll be more match winning innings to come from Saif I’m sure.”