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Ajaz Patel Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 15, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth21 October 1988

Age36 Years

BirthplaceJogeshwari West, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra

ProfessionCricketer (Bowler)

NationalityNew Zealand

Marital statusMarried

SpouseNilofer Patel

FamilyFather - Yunus Patel; Mother - Shahnaz Patel; Sisters - Tanzeel Patel and Sana Patel

Ajaz Patel Biography

Left-arm spinner Ajaz Yunus Patel is a New Zealand international cricketer of Indian origin best known for his rare achievement of taking all ten wicketsin

Early life and background

Ajaz Yunus Patel was born on 21 October 1988 in Jogeshwari West, Bombay (now Mumbai), and spent his early childhood in India before his family moved to New Zealand in 1996 when he was eight. His parents are Yunus Patel, who ran an electronics sales and service business in Mumbai and later a tyre business in Auckland, and Shahnaz Patel, a school teacher. The family’s roots are in Kantharia village, Bharuch, Gujarat, and Ajaz identifies with Islam.

He attended Mount Mary School in Goregaon West before continuing his education in New Zealand at Avondale College in central Auckland. Cricket entered his life more seriously after his uncle, who coached in a local league, encouraged him to join Newlyn Cricket Club. Early coaches emphasised professionalism and skill work, and those formative club experiences helped shape his approach to the game.

Career

Ajaz Patel started his domestic career in New Zealand with Central Districts after joining Taradale club around 2012. He steadily built a reputation as a left-arm slow orthodox bowler, leading the wicket-taking charts in New Zealand’s domestic first-class competition across multiple seasons. He made his List A debut for Central Districts in the Ford Trophy on 27 December 2015 and finished as his side’s leading wicket-taker in the 2015–16 Plunket Shield with 43 wickets. He repeated as a leading wicket-taker in subsequent seasons with 44 and 48 dismissals, and in June 2018 Central Districts awarded him a contract for the 2018–19 season.

Patel’s international career began in late 2018. He made his T20I debut on 31 October 2018 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, taking one wicket while opening the bowling. Shortly after, he earned his Test debut on 16 November 2018 against Pakistan at the same venue, where he impressed by taking seven wickets across the match as New Zealand won by four runs. He was also named in an ODI squad on that tour but did not play an ODI.

A steady campaigner in county and domestic cricket, Patel has played for Auckland and Central Districts in New Zealand, turned out for New Zealand A, and had a stint with Yorkshire. His mentor listed in records is Dipak Patel, and he bats left-handed while bowling slow left-arm orthodox.

Records and the historic 10-wicket haul

Ajaz Patel has compiled a list of notable bowling achievements in his career. Domestically he won recognition including Domestic Player of the Year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards in 2018. Internationally, his most celebrated performance came on 3 December 2021 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where he took all ten wickets in India’s first innings, finishing with figures of 10 for 119 from 47.5 overs. That extraordinary feat made him only the third bowler in Test history to take all ten wickets in a single innings, joining Jim Laker and Anil Kumble. The match brought additional statistical milestones: his match figures against India were among the best by a visiting spinner and placed him high in the list of New Zealand bowling performances historically.

Public profile

Patel is known within cricketing circles for a professional demeanour and strong work ethic that coaches have highlighted at both club and first-class level. He has been recognised as one of a small group of Indian-origin players to represent New Zealand at Test level. His preferred ground is Eden Park in Auckland, and he has cited cricketers such as Brian Lara among the batters he admires and Daniel Vettori and Ravindra Jadeja among bowlers he respects.

Personal life

Ajaz Patel is married to Nilofer Patel; the couple married on 1 January 2015. He has two sisters, Tanzeel and Sana Patel, and his maternal grandfather is Mohammad Musa Kapadia. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. Physically, his listed height is about 170 cm (5 ft 6 in) and his playing weight is given around 75 kg.

Latest updates

In November 2021 Patel was added to New Zealand’s Test squad for the tour of India; the tour produced the landmark 10-wicket innings in the second Test. His international debut in Abu Dhabi remains one of his most memorable moments, and his performances since have kept him prominent in the Test setup. As of the most recent records, he continues to represent New Zealand in international cricket and to play domestic seasons for Central Districts and Auckland.
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Recent Work

10/119 vs India (Test)

Took all ten wickets in India’s first innings at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on 3 December 2021.

2021
Test debut vs Pakistan

Made Test debut for New Zealand on 16 November 2018 at Abu Dhabi, taking seven wickets in the match.

2018
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Career Highlights

  1. Third bowler in Test history to take all ten wickets in a single innings (10/119 vs India, 2021)
  2. Multiple seasons as leading wicket-taker in New Zealand’s Plunket Shield
  3. Domestic Player of the Year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards (2018)
  4. Test debut performance: seven wickets in the match against Pakistan (2018)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Ajaz Patel born?

21 October 1988

What is Ajaz Patel known for?

Cricketer (Bowler)

What is Ajaz Patel’s marital status?

Married

Who is Ajaz Patel married to?

Nilofer Patel