Azeem Rafiq is set to start as Yorkshire's spinner today in their curtain-raiser against Hampshire and hopes to build on last year's remarkable comeback story.

The 26-year-old from Barnsley impressed after returning to the Tykes following two years out of professional sport as he struggled with his form as well anxiety and depression. He has spent the winter working on his fitness as well as training outdoors during two weeks in Pakistan, the country of his birth.

He then played in the Hong Kong Twenty20 Blitz alongside Sri Lankan superstar Kumar Sangakkara while West Indian great Brian Lara was his mentor for the competition. Azeem returned from Yorkshire's pre-season tour of Dubai late last week and impressed in the pre-season innings win against Leeds Bradford MCCU, taking two wickets in the first innings and three in the second.

The offspinner will hope to take that form into the County Championship season and is expected to start today in the absence of England spinner Adil Rashid who is being rested by the national team.

Rafiq said: "I am still pinching myself every day. After what I have been through, I am loving every second of my second chance as a professional cricketer. I am really happy to be back at a very special club and I just want to repay the faith shown in me by Martyn Moxon (director of cricket) and Galey (captain Andrew Gale).

"I have worked hard on my fitness and I am back to my best level now. I feel really strong and hopefully I can build on last season. I just want to enjoy every day and make a difference to the team – whether that is batting, bowling, fielding or in the dressing room. My aim is to be involved in all three formats and play as much cricket as I can."

Azeem has played in England development teams in the past and would love to reach the senior national team. He said: "All any young English cricketer wants to do is to play for England and I am no different. "That is what gets me out of bed every day and it is the ultimate aim for my career. I am on the right path to do it, I just have to keep working hard and put my name in the mix."

Moxon believes his fellow Barnsley man is capable of becoming an international player. The former England batsman said: "Azeem will start against Hampshire. He will be looking to continue his good form and give us a tricky decision between using him or Adil.

"Last season, Azeem made a big impact and did extremely well. He has gone from strength to strength in pre-season. He's definitely matured since the last time he was with us and that is showing in his cricket. He is an excellent cricketer and I would like to think he will play for England in the future. He is definitely capable of it.

"He is very competitive and ambitious and playing international cricket has always been a big driver for him. He is a finger-spinner who spins the ball a lot and he is a very aggressive off-spinner."

Rafiq is going to be captained this season by his former Barnsley team-mate Gary Ballance while Gale has moved up from skipper to coach. Azeem said: "Gary and Galey have got stuck right into it and it feels like they have been doing these jobs for years and years.  Gary is a very close friend of mine and Galey is someone who I have always looked up to.

"The lads are really excited to get going this season.  They have worked extremely hard during the winter and we just can't wait to start playing games now.  Our aim is to win all three competitions, that's what we always set our stall out to do.

"We will just enjoy each day and give our best and see where it takes you. We were close in a couple of competitions last season and hopefully we can go one better this year. Hopefully we can give the fans a lot of joy and also some silverware."