International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel has ICC’s Player of the Month for December. He has got the majority of votes from the panel and has received this award for his outstanding performance against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai where he has picked a 10-wicket haul.
Mayank Agarwal and Mitchell Starc were also part of the nominated list but based on the majority of the votes – Ajaz was handed over the award.
He picked a total of 14 wickets in Mumbai during a Test series against India, which includes all 10 in the 1st innings itself. After the huge achievement, he has become the 3rd player in Test history to pick a 10 wicket haul after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble.
Ajaz Patel was born in Mumbai and it was like a fairy tale for him to achieve this huge feat at his birthplace and you will be shocked to hear this but that was his first-ever tour of India with the Test team.
🔹 Jim Laker
🔹 Anil Kumble
🔹 Ajaz PatelRemember the names! #WTC23 | #INDvNZ | https://t.co/EdvFj8yST5 pic.twitter.com/xDVImIifM6
— ICC (@ICC) December 4, 2021
He has ended the Day-1 of the Test game with four wickets under his belt and the best part for him was he has kept the same momentum moving into the following day – where he has picked back-to-back wickets. He was just short of a hat-trick but it went all his way on that day and ended the Indian innings by picking all the 10 wickets. It was an absolute class performance from him and the star Indian batting line-up had no answers to his line and length.
During that post-match presentation, Ajaz said – “Personally I think one of the greatest cricketing days in my life. And it will probably always be,”
One of the Member of ICC Voting Academy for December Mr. JP Duminy said – “What a historic achievement! Taking 10 wickets in an innings is a feat that needs to be celebrated. There’s no doubt that Ajaz’s performance is a milestone that will be remembered for years to come.”
