Born in Mumbai in 1988, Ajaz single-handedly picked up 10 wickets in the first innings of the second and final Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Only Anil Kumble and Jim Laker have achieved this feat of picking up 10 wickets in a single innings of a Test match.
The left-arm spinner picked 14 wickets in the match, but despite that, he failed to secure the man of the match award, but his efforts did not go to vain as he was presented with a jersey signed by all Indian cricketers. On top of that, the Mumbai Cricket Association president also felicitated Ajaz Patel. "MCA President Vijay Patil felicitated Ajaz Patel with the score sheet and a momento," a senior MCA official told PTI.
The spinner also returned the favour by presenting the match-ball and the jersey to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Museum.
The BCCI had earlier posted a picture with R Ashwin and Ajaz Patel when the Indian players gifted a jersey to the Indian-origin spinner:
Talking about Ind vs NZ 2nd Test, despite Ajaz's historic bowling performance, New Zealand suffered a crushing defeat by 372 runs in this match. India won the two-match Test series by 1-0. India retained the no. 1 position in the ICC Test match rankings after this victory.