Black Caps left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel became the third bowler in the history of Test cricket to clinch 10 wickets in an innings and with this feat,, he joined the elite list of stalwarts like Jim Laker and Anil Kumble who created this record in 1954 and 1999 respectively. Anil Kumble congratulated Ajaz for his wonderful achievement where he wrote: “Welcome to the club” on his official Twitter account.
Welcome to the club #AjazPatel #Perfect10 Well bowled! A special effort to achieve it on Day1 & 2 of a test match. #INDvzNZ
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) December 4, 2021
The feat is special for the left-arm spinner as he was born and raised in Mumbai before his parents migrated in the year 1996 when he was just 8 years old and currently after 25 years achieving this feat at his second home is a record that he will never forget in his lifetime.
He bowled 47.5 overs in first innings where he gave 119 runs and took 10 wickets including priceless wickets of some of the top batters of India which is not easy in Indian conditions.
“It was quite a special occasion for me and my family. Unfortunately for me, they’re not here because of Covid,” Patel told the host broadcaster during tea break. “It’s surreal and to be able to do that in my career is pretty special. The stars have aligned for me to do it in Mumbai. I’m in very illustrious company with [Anil] Kumble sir as well. This is not a great start for us, but we have a few boys in the shed and hope to put on some runs.”
A few months later, his uncle Sayeed Patel enrolled him and his cousin at Suburbs New Lynn Cricket Club in Auckland. By then, Ajaz had started following the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne on television. At the Avondale College, he was already friends with another Indian, Jeet Ashok Raval, now his team-mate in the national side.
He made his first-class debut for Central District in 2016 so far he has played from 50 games and clinched 251 wickets at an average of 32.71.