WORCESTERSHIRE all-rounder Kashif Ali insists last season's successes has made him even hungrier to succeed in the 2023 campaign. 

The 25-year-old became the first product of the South Asian Cricket Association to sign for a first-class county when he moved to New Road. 

After an initial short-term contract, his performances earned him a new two-year deal.

He was superb for the Worcestershire second-team, scoring a double century, two hundreds and four fifties in the space of seven innings, as well as earning himself a number of appearances in the first team.

He made his initial breakthrough in the Vitality Blast, then scored a half-century on his LV=Insurance County Championship debut against Derbyshire, followed by a memorable hundred in his first List A appearance against Kent in the One-Day Cup at New Road. 

He went onto to hit 61 against Lancashire before a broken thumb in that game at Emirates Old Trafford whilst fielding curtailed his season. 

"I was pleased with how my 2022 went.  Having a good year, having played with Worcestershire, it has been great. I’m enjoying my time, and a great bunch of lads which makes it even better," he said.

"I’m very grateful and very blessed to get the contract from Worcestershire. The journey has been good and I’ve enjoyed the ride so far. 

"Every game I play, whether it is first team or second team, I try to play like it is my last game. 

"I think that gives you hunger, that keeps you hungry, keeps you motivated for the games coming up. 

"Playing in the first team in all formats last season, has given me a lot of encouragement and I’m very confident moving forward."

The fifty against Derbyshire and century versus Kent are occasions that were savoured by Ali.

"Having to play in the second eleven for the last couple of years and then making my first class debut for Worcestershire was brilliant for me and scoring a fifty made it even better," he added.

"There was a lot of excitement going through me and it was a very special time and I’m looking forward to repeating it again in coming times for Worcestershire. 

"Against Kent, it was a proud day for me because I was In the Kent Academy previously and got released. 

"Having to play against them in the first team, and making my List A debut against them was pretty special, and scoring my hundred made it even better. 

"It very emotional for myself to be honest because all I ever dreamed of was to play professional cricket and here I was playing at the highest level (of domestic cricket). 

"My family were watching on TV ball by ball live. It was a very memorable day for them as well. They were very happy and emotional at the same time. 

"They wanted to see me at the highest level I could achieve."