DUBAI – New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patal on Saturday created history after he took all 10 wickets in a Test innings against India in Mumbai.
In doing so, he joined an elite club comprising only two other players – England legend Jim Laker and India’s Anil Kumble. Laker was the first to achieve the milestone in 1956 against England while Kumble made history in 1999 when he called all 10 wickets of Pakistan.
In Test cricket’s long history, only three players have managed this feat so far.
Ajaz, who shifted to New Zealand in 1996 with his parents from INdia, was playing just his 11th Test for New Zealand since making his debut in 2018.
The previous Test best of the 33-year-old was 5-59.
“Honestly, it’s surreal and to be able to do that in my career is pretty special,” he said. “The stars have aligned for me to do it in Mumbai. “I’m in very illustrious company with Kumble sir as well.”
Following Patel’s achievement, Kumble led the plaudits, pointing out that reaching the mark in the first two days of a Test made it that much more special.
Welcome to the club #AjazPatel #Perfect10 Well bowled! A special effort to achieve it on Day1 & 2 of a test match. #INDvzNZ
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) December 4, 2021
Kumble’s one-time spin partner Harbhajan Singh, and former India coach and all-rounder Ravi Shastri, also lauded Patel.
India ended the day with a commanding lead of 332 after bundling New Zealand out for just 62 in their reply to India’s first innings 325. R Ashwin took a splendid 4/8, while Mohammed Siraj’s opening burst of three wickets set the ball rolling.
But such was the magnitude of Ajaz’s achievement, that’ll remain the highlight of the day. India resumed the morning on 221/4, but Ajaz picked up where he left off on day one, with a double strike in his first over of the morning.
