WORCESTERSHIRE director of cricket Steve Rhodes is predicting a bright future for Imran Arif as he prepares for his first full season with the County.

The Bradford League discovery made a huge impression in the six first-class games he played last season as an overseas player.

With the Pakistan-born seamer on course to earn his British passport and rubber-stamp a two-year contract at New Road, Rhodes is expecting even more than what he saw last year.

“He knows himself that fielding and other aspects of the game are areas he needs to improve. But that is only because he is a little bit green and has come from league cricket,” the Worcestershire director of cricket said.

“I think he is a very fast learner, has huge potential for the future, and I’m so pleased that we have got him at Worcestershire.”

Arif, who has had a minor shoulder operation in the autumn, passed his British citizenship test back in October and he is now waiting for his certificate so that he can apply for a passport.

The former Hanging Heaton bowler picked up 22 first-class wickets last term after being drafted in to replace Steve Magoffin as the County’s overseas player following the withdrawal of West Indies Test star Fidel Edwards.

With a five-wicket haul on his debut, Arif proved to be a rough diamond in the Worcestershire attack and, following injuries to Kabir Ali, Simon Jones and Matt Mason, the 24-year-old was thrown in at the deep end to lead the seam department.

“I think we had a lot of good things happen last season,” Rhodes said.

“Simon Jones’ form was tremendous in the games he played, Kabir was also exceptional.

“The batters were impressive too as we had plenty of guys who got over a thousand runs and batted really well and there was also Steve Davies’ fine form in the one-dayers too.

“There were so many positives, but in a lot of ways I was very impressed with the way Imran successfully jumped from league cricket to first-class cricket.

“His bowling was not out of place one bit, in fact he did a very good job and will only get better.”

With Arif awaiting his British citizenship certificate, Rhodes says that the County are keeping the England and Wales Cricket Board fully informed as to the seamer’s progress in achieving full British status.

“As soon as we get that certificate we will send it down to the ECB and start the ball rolling for registration,” Rhodes added.