Introduction
Ajaz Yunus Patel (born 21 October 1988) is a New Zealand cricketer who plays for Central Districts in domestic cricket. He made his international debut for the New Zealand cricket team in October 2018. The following month, he made his Test debut for New Zealand, taking five wickets in the second innings. He emigrated with his family from Mumbai when he was eight years old, and was formerly a left-arm seam bowler. In May 2020, New Zealand Cricket awarded him with a central contract, ahead of the 2020–21 season.
Domestic career
He made his List A debut on 27 December 2015 in the 2015–16 Ford Trophy. He took the most wickets in the 2015–16 Plunket Shield season, with 43 dismissals. He was also the leading wicket-taker in the following season, with 44 dismissals.
In April 2018, he was named the Men's Domestic Player of the Year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards. He finished the 2017–18 Plunket Shield season as the leading wicket-taker, with 48 dismissals in nine matches. In June 2018, he was awarded a contract with Central Districts for the 2018–19 season.
International career
In July 2018, he was named in New Zealand's Test squad for their series against Pakistan. In October 2018, he was named in New Zealand's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad, also for their series against Pakistan. He made his T20I debut for New Zealand against Pakistan on 31 October 2018. During the same tour, he was also added to New Zealand's One Day International (ODI) squad, but he did not play in the ODI series. He made his Test debut for New Zealand against Pakistan on 16 November 2018. He took five wickets in the second innings, with New Zealand winning by four runs, and was named the man of the match.