Ajaz Patel doubtful for home Tests- Ajaz Patel took centre stage in the Mumbai Test and stunned the cricket fraternity with his brilliance. The Mumbai-born spin bowler took 14-225 against Indies, including a ‘PERFECT 10’. Despite his heroics in Mumbai Test, Ajaz Patel might carry the drinks in the upcoming Test matches in the upcoming home series. New Zealand will host Bangladesh and South Africa for a couple of Tests each in January and February respectively.
- Ajaz Patel had last played for Blackcaps in February 2020.
- In their last five home Tests, Kiwis have gone with full-fledged four pacers. They won all their matches with a seamer playing a key role in all these games. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead is likely to continue with the winning formula.
IND VS NZ Live: SHOCKING, ‘Perfect 10’ Hero Ajaz Patel unlikely to be included in playing XI for home test series, check details
Is there a place for Ajaz Patel?
- The Kiwis will play their opening game against Bangladesh at Bay Oval. The hosts can opt to fit Ajaz Patel as the lone spinner in the NZ playing XI.
- Traditionally, Kane Williamson & Co have supported their four frontline pacers with a seam-bowling allrounder. And much to Ajaz Patel’s advantage, left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner took the role against Pakistan at Mount Maunganui last year.
- The wicket is not seaming friendly as other pitches in New Zealand. It would be the best opportunity for Kiwis to draft him in the playing XI as Bangladesh remains winless in New Zealand.
If Ajaz Patel is considered for the upcoming Test, his parents Yunus and Shahnaz could finally watch him play at the venue for the first time. If he doesn’t, he couldn’t complain as 43 out of his 52 wickets have come overseas. He has managed just 9 wickets in 12 home Tests.
- Ajaz, a left-arm spinner, returned best-ever figures of 14-225 against India, surpassing Ian Botham’s 13-106 in 1980 at Mumbai.
- He had already joined an elite club of three bowlers including England’s Jim Laker (1956) and India’s Anil Kumble (1999) to take 10 wickets in one Test innings. Laker finished with 19 in the match against Australia.
- He went past Sir Richard Hadlee’s previous best New Zealand’s record of 9-52. He missed equally his overall record of 15-123 (vs Australia, 1985) as India declared on Day 3.
- Ajaz improved his match tally to 12 in the first session before Ravindra, another Kiwi of Indian origin, broke through to get his maiden Test wicket on day three at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
IND VS NZ Live: SHOCKING, ‘Perfect 10’ Hero Ajaz Patel unlikely to be included in playing XI for home test series, check details
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