Ajaz Patel, a prominent cricketer for New Zealand, was born on October 21, 1988, in Mumbai. He and his family moved to New Zealand in 1996. Patel has made a name for himself in the cricketing world, often celebrated for his impressive performances.
Ajaz Patel’s Cricket Career
Ajaz Patel is known for his remarkable achievements in cricket. In 2021, he made headlines by becoming the third player ever to take 10 wickets in a single innings during a Test match against India. This extraordinary feat has solidified his place in cricket history.
From Mumbai to New Zealand
Patel was born in Mumbai and relocated to New Zealand with his family when he was eight years old. He completed his schooling at Mount Marry School and pursued higher education at Gondal College. His father is Yunus Patel, and his mother is Shahnaz Patel. Ajaz has two younger sisters, Sana and Tanzeel Patel.
Early Career and Influences
Initially starting as a fast bowler, Patel shifted to spin bowling while playing domestic cricket for Auckland. He received encouragement from his teammate Deepak Patel. Ajaz began his first-class cricket career in the Plunket Shield Series, making an impact in his debut match with 3 wickets and 7 runs.
He launched his List-A career on December 27, 2015, against the Canterbury Cricket Team in The Ford Trophy. Patel’s standout moment came in 2021 when he took 10 wickets in an innings against India, a remarkable achievement that brought him considerable recognition.
International Career
Ajaz Patel’s international career began in 2018 with a T20 match against Pakistan. New Zealand Cricket honored him with a central contract around that time. As of September 18, 2024, Patel was playing against Sri Lanka, having given away 19 runs in 10 overs.
At 35, Patel is not the primary spinner for New Zealand on home grounds, though he has been successful in subcontinent conditions. He continues to work diligently on his skills and remains prepared for opportunities in international cricket.
