1st Test, Ajaz Patel claims 6/90 versus Sri Lanka: Stats
New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel claimed 6/90 versus Sri Lanka in the third innings of the first Test being held at Galle International Stadium, Galle. Sri Lanka resumed Day 4 on 237/4 before being bundled out for 309. Sri Lanka lost six wickets for 72 runs with Ajaz running the show, grabbing five wickets on Day 4. Here we present further details.
A brilliant six-wicket haul for Ajaz
Ajaz got the crucial scalp of Dimuth Karunaratne on Day 3, who departed for 83. And then on Day 4 after a rest day, Ajaz started the session well with probing lines and lengths. He had Dhananjaya de Silva out stumped in just the fourth over of the morning. Kusal Mendis and half-centurion Angelo Mathews parted next before two more wickets arrived.
5th five-wicket haul for Ajaz
Ajaz claimed 2/60 in the first innings and followed it up with 6/90 from 30 overs. Altogether, he took 8 scalps from 50 overs in the contest. He has now raced to 70 wickets from 17 matches at an average of 28.50. He claimed his 5th five-wicket haul. As per ESPNcricinfo, in five matches versus Sri Lanka, Ajaz owns 17 scalps at 27.82.
66 wickets for Ajaz in Asia
Ajaz has been NZ's primary spinner in Asia. In 12 matches, he owns 66 scalps at an average of 27.39. All of his five-wicket hauls have come in Asia. He also owns a 10-wicket haul.
