Ajaz Patel Biography: Religion, Age, Height, Wife, Family & more

Quick Info 

Ajaz Patel is a professional cricketer who plays as a left-arm spinner for the New Zealand national team. Born in Mumbai, India, Ajaz migrated to New Zealand with his family at the age of eight. Despite his Indian roots, he has established himself as one of New Zealand’s most promising spinners. His remarkable feat of taking 10 wickets in a single Test innings has etched his name into the annals of cricket history.

Early Life and Relocated to New Zealand

Ajaz Patel was born into a Muslim family in Mumbai, where he lived in Jogeshwari and attended Mount Mary School in Goregaon. His parents, Yunus Patel, a businessman, and Shahnaz Patel, a school teacher, decided to move to New Zealand when Ajaz was eight years old, seeking better opportunities. Despite settling in New Zealand, the Patels maintained a strong connection with their roots in Mumbai. Ajaz’s wife also hails from the city, which hosted their memorable ‘big fat Indian wedding’ a few years ago.

Ajaz Patel’s Rise Through Domestic Cricket

Ajaz Patel’s domestic cricket journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. He made his List A debut on December 27, 2015, in the Ford Trophy, marking the start of a prolific domestic career. Patel’s talent as a left-arm spinner shone brightly during the 2015–16 Plunket Shield season, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 43 dismissals. This stellar performance set the tone for the following season, where he once again dominated the wickets tally with 44 dismissals.

Patel’s consistency and skill earned him recognition as the Men’s Domestic Player of the Year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards in April 2018. That same year, he topped the wicket charts in the 2017–18 Plunket Shield season, taking an impressive 48 wickets in nine matches. His outstanding domestic performances secured him a contract with Central Districts for the 2018–19 season.

In July 2022, Ajaz Patel expanded his horizons by signing with Glamorgan for the final four matches of the County Championship in England. He made an immediate impact, claiming a total of 14 wickets and further solidifying his reputation as a master spinner in the longer format.

For more details about Ajaz Patel’s domestic career, visit his Wikipedia page.

International Debut and Rise to Prominence

Ajaz Patel debuted in international cricket in 2018, beginning with his selection for New Zealand’s Test squad for the series against Pakistan in July. He later joined the Twenty20 International (T20I) squad and made his T20I debut on October 31, 2018, against Pakistan. During the same tour, he was added to the One Day International (ODI) squad but did not play any matches.

On November 16, 2018, Patel made his Test debut against Pakistan, delivering a standout performance. He took five wickets in the second innings, leading New Zealand to a narrow four-run victory and earning the Man of the Match title.

In August 2021, Patel was named in New Zealand’s ODI squad for their Pakistan tour, showcasing his continued relevance to the national team across formats. His consistent performances have established him as a reliable spinner in international cricket.

Ajaz Patel’s Historic 10-Wicket Haul

In November 2021, Ajaz Patel was part of New Zealand’s Test squad for a two-match series in India. After a modest performance in the first Test, Patel delivered a historic feat in the second Test on December 3, 2021. He claimed all ten wickets in India’s first innings, recording exceptional figures of 10/119 in 47.5 overs.

This achievement placed him among cricket legends, making him the third bowler ever to take all ten wickets in a Test innings, following Jim Laker (1956) and Anil Kumble (1999). Patel went on to take four more wickets in the second innings, finishing the match with remarkable figures of 14/225 — the best by any bowler in a Test match against India. His performance remains a milestone in New Zealand cricket history.

Ajaz Patel 10 Wickets Scorecard:

In the second Test match of the New Zealand tour of India in 2021, Patel claimed all 10 Indian wickets in the first innings, ending with figures of 10/119 in 47.5 overs. His incredible performance was as follows:

• Shubman Gill (LBW, 44)
• Cheteshwar Pujara (Bowled, 0)
• Virat Kohli (LBW, 0)
• Shreyas Iyer (Caught, 18)
• Wriddhiman Saha (Caught, 27)
• Ravichandran Ashwin (LBW, 0)
• Mayank Agarwal (Caught, 150)
• Axar Patel (Caught, 52)
• Jayant Yadav (Bowled, 12)
• Mohammed Siraj (Caught, 4)

This historic performance not only put Ajaz in the spotlight globally but also earned him praise from cricketing legends across the world. Despite his heroics, India went on to win the match, but Ajaz’s achievement remains a significant milestone in cricket history.

Personal Life: Wife and Family

Ajaz Patel is married to Nilofer Patel, and they maintain a relatively private life. The couple supports each other through the challenges of Ajaz’s cricketing career. Coming from a tight-knit family, Ajaz credits his parents, Yunus and Shahnaz Patel, and his sisters, Sana and Tanzil, for their constant encouragement throughout his career.

Ajaz Patel’s Religion and Values

As a practicing Muslim, Ajaz Patel often speaks about how his faith plays a central role in his life. His discipline, dedication, and humility reflect the values he holds dear, both on and off the field. Patel has been an ambassador of New Zealand’s multicultural ethos and has been vocal about the importance of diversity in sports.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite his success, Ajaz Patel has faced challenges in becoming New Zealand’s first-choice spinner, particularly on home soil where conditions are more favorable for fast bowlers. However, his resilience and work ethic have allowed him to consistently perform in subcontinent conditions, where spinners are crucial.

Ajaz Patel continues to be an integral part of New Zealand’s Test team and remains hungry for more success. At 35, he is focused on maintaining his form and fitness, constantly improving his skill set, and contributing to the success of the Blackcaps on the international stage.

Legacy and Conclusion

Ajaz Patel’s journey from Mumbai to making cricket history in New Zealand is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and talent. His remarkable 10-wicket haul will be remembered for generations, and his continued contributions to New Zealand cricket have made him a key player in the team’s success. Ajaz’s story is one of dedication to his craft, and his legacy will continue to inspire aspiring cricketers worldwide.

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