Ajaz Yunus Patel (born 21 October 1988) is a New Zealand international cricketer who represents Central Districts in domestic cricket. A slow left-arm orthodox spin bowler, he is best known for taking all ten wickets in an innings in a Test match against India in December 2021, becoming only the third bowler in the history of Test cricket to achieve the feat.
| Full name | Ajaz Yunus Patel |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 October 1988 |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, India |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Bowling style | Slow left-arm orthodox spin (formerly left-arm seam) |
| Domestic team | Central Districts |
| National team | New Zealand |
| International debut | October 2018 |
| Test debut | November 2018 |
Patel was born in Mumbai, India, in 1988. He emigrated with his family to New Zealand at the age of eight. In his early years as a cricketer he bowled left-arm seam, before later switching to slow left-arm orthodox spin, which would become his stock style at the international level.
Patel plays domestic cricket in New Zealand for Central Districts.
Patel made his international debut for New Zealand in October 2018. In doing so, he became the first Muslim from New Zealand to play for the national side. The following month he made his Test debut for New Zealand and marked the occasion by taking five wickets in the second innings of the match.
In May 2020, New Zealand Cricket awarded him a central contract ahead of the 2020–21 season.
In December 2021, during the second Test against India, Patel claimed all ten wickets in an innings. He became only the third bowler in Test cricket to do so, after Jim Laker of England and Anil Kumble of India. Despite the personal milestone, New Zealand suffered a heavy defeat in the match, making Patel the only one of the three bowlers to finish on the losing side after the achievement.
Patel occupies a notable place in both New Zealand cricket and the broader history of Test cricket. As the first Muslim from New Zealand to play for the national side, his selection marked a milestone for representation in the country's cricket. His ten-wicket innings against India placed him alongside Jim Laker and Anil Kumble in one of the rarest individual achievements in the sport.