AZEEM RAFIQ has paid tribute to an absent friend for playing his part in Yorkshire’s limited overs revival.

The Vikings are on the verge of quarter-final places in both the Royal London One-Day Cup and the NatWest T20 Blast, the latter which should be hopefully be confirmed tonight.

They have won six of their last eight Blast matches to take third place in the group, and a win against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road in their final match tonight will definitely be enough.

They may not even need that depending on results elsewhere.

Rafiq, 25, has played a significant role in an excellent run of form in all limited overs cricket since his return to the club last month.

Yorkshire have won eight of the 10 matches he has played in both competitions.

And Rafiq has hailed the influence of overseas star Kane Williamson, now on international duty captaining New Zealand, on the upturn in form.

“We have been very smart over the last few games, and a lot of credit should go to Alex Lees and the coaches,” said the off-spinner.

“Also, one person who I believe helped a lot is not here now – Kane.

“The way he spoke in the dressing room was outstanding, and he got us thinking a lot smarter about the game.

“Kane is the leader of an international team, and it’s the way he speaks and how he thinks about the game that has helped.

“He has certainly helped me think a lot more clearly about the game. I’m sure a lot of the lads would say the same.”

A win against second-placed Northants, who have a two-point advantage and a better net run-rate, in tonight’s televised clash could even gain Yorkshire a top-two finish in the group and a home quarter-final tie, starting the week of Monday, August 8.

“We are just about starting to click at the business end of the tournament,” said Rafiq.

“It’s a long tournament, and it’s about peaking at the right time. The lads are a lot clearer with what they want to do now, both individually and as a team.”

Rafiq has taken 11 wickets in eight Blast matches, and he is their second leading wicket-taker behind Tim Bresnan with 15.

He has also taken three from two 50-over matches and hit a crucial unbeaten 17 as the Vikings chased down 252 to beat Notts by two wickets with two balls to spare at Scarborough on Wednesday.

It is the type of form that will have almost certainly convinced the Yorkshire hierarchy to offer him an extended stay at Headingley beyond the end of the current season.

“It’s beyond my wildest dreams what’s happening at the minute. I’m so happy with the way I’m bowling,” he added.

“Like I’ve said before, I’m just trying to enjoy each day and be really consistent with my preparation.

“I can’t thank the two captains enough, Andrew Gale and Alex Lees. Without their backing and support, it would have been a lot tougher for me.

“I appreciate this game a lot, lot more now after the last couple of years, and I’m just loving every minute of it.

“I just want to keep it going that way, and the other things will look after themselves.”

* Yorkshire are planning to complete the redevelopment of their new North-South Stand by April 2019 after being handed a £4m grant by Leeds City Council.

The completion will be in time for the Cricket World Cup and Ashes Test that summer.

The grant will make up a portion of the total £28.5m cost of a project which will maintain Category A international status beyond the end of their ECB staging agreement in 2020.