AFG vs NZ: Ajaz Patel ‘Hungry’ Against Afghanistan In One-Off Test, Says ‘Don’t Get As Many Opportunities At Home…’

New Delhi: India has always been special for New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel. Born in Mumbai in 1988, Ajaz moved with his family to New Zealand when he was eight years old. 17 years later, the left-arm spinner returned to his birthplace to become the first New Zealander and the third cricketer to take 10 wickets in an innings – a feat that came against India at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

Ajaz is back in India once again, but this time the hosts are different. The Kiwis, led by Tim Southee are gearing up for the one-off Test match against Afghanistan in Greater Noida from September 9. It is also the first time Afghanistan are playing a Test match against New Zealand.

Despite finishing that Test match against India with 14 wickets, Ajaz found a place in just five matches in the longest format since then. In fact four of the last five Tests have been in sub-continent, especially in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Ajaz has played 11 Tests out of his total 16 in Asia.

Ajaz’s stats clearly show he’s been picked majorly for matches in the Asian sub-continents when the slow bowlers get much help. Lack of opportunities despite a 10-wicket an innings haul can frustrate a player, but Ajaz reckoned that these types of circumstances ignites his hunger more.

“If you ask all New Zealand spinners about it, it is difficult sometimes,” the 35-year-old told reporters ahead of New Zealand’s first practice at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Cricket Stadium. “You don’t get as many opportunities at home because of our home conditions but also, I guess, it breeds more hunger when you do come to conditions like this and you know conditions that are spin-friendly and you’re quite hungry to get out there and play, and put your best foot forward and perform.

“But you must prepare accordingly and prepare well. So, it’s just about going into these games and enjoying the conditions and making the most of it,” he added. Speaking on his return to India, Ajaz admitted travelling to his country of birth is always special but the challenge against Afghanistan will be tough.

“It’s always special to come back to India, especially after my last game here. And it’s a different challenge now. I guess you know, different surface, different place, different opposition. So, it’s just about looking at what’s in front of us and then assessing, what the wicket is doing and how it’s going to play,” Ajaz said.

“We have come up with a game plan. We know Afghanistan are a quality team and obviously they don’t have as much experience, but they’ll certainly put up a good fight and certainly grow from every experience that they get and have. So yeah, we’re not going to take them lightly and then, you know, there’s a lot of cricket to look forward to,” he added.