OFF-spinner Azeem Rafiq has spoken emotionally and openly about a tough summer off the field following an impressive milestone on it during Yorkshire's Vitality Blast win over Leicestershire on Tuesday evening.

Rafiq has revealed the tragic circumstance which has impacted upon his lack of first-team cricket for the White Rose this summer.

In the win over the Foxes, Rafiq claimed two wickets, the first of which was his 100th career T20 victim as Ned Eckersley was caught at short third-man.

Rafiq, 27, missed Yorkshire's pre-season tour to South Africa in March for personal reasons and has only played first-team cricket in the ongoing Blast.

"That milestone (100th wicket) was massive for me," he said.

"I knew about it last year and wanted to get it then, but it wasn't to be.

"I needed six wickets coming into this year.

"It's been a tough season for me. I haven't played the amount of cricket I'd have liked, but these kind of milestones are things that you really look back on with a lot of satisfaction.

"I've had a pretty tough time personally, which I don't think a lot of people are aware of.

'It's been hard for myself, my wife and my family.

"My wife was here, and that 100th wicket was for my little baby boy Alyaan who we lost (in May). It was all linked to why I didn't go on pre-season tour."

Understandably, Rafiq is now determined to concentrate on his cricket and help Yorkshire pursue their maiden T20 Blast title.

Tuesday's win over Leicestershire was their fifth from nine matches and moved them into the North Group's top four on 10 points. Remaining there after 14 matches would secure a quarter-final berth.

Kane Williamson starred with 77 off 41 balls as Yorkshire posted 187-5 and then defended it to win by 60 runs.

"Kane was the difference between the two teams and showed why he's one of the top three batsmen in world cricket at the moment," said Rafiq.

"He's made such a big impact in the few weeks he's been with us.

"The crowd just see what he does out on the pitch, but there's a hell of a lot of stuff he does off it.

"He's a champion bloke who's so good to learn from.

"I'm lucky to be sat next to him in the dressing room, and you pick up so much."

Rafiq went on: "We needed that win because the last couple of games (against Derbyshire) haven't gone according to plan.

"Chesterfield was really disappointing on Saturday because we felt like we played 90 per cent of the game really well, ut Twenty20 cricket can go that way. Someone has a good couple of overs and they can win the game.

"Monday was disappointing in a different sense because we just weren't at it.

"Getting the opportunity to bounce back quickly can be a good thing.

"To get that performance against Leicester was really pleasing."

Yorkshire now face a Northamptonshire side at Emerald Headingley tomorrow, who sit bottom of the North Group.

"It's important we back that win up," added Rafiq.

"The couple of days off will come in handy because there's a lot of tired bodies in there, and we need to make sure we come back against Northants with the same energy we showed against Leicestershire."