(Image source from: Scroll.in)

New Zealand had picked Ajaz Patel, an Indian-born finger spinner on Wednesday among the three spinners for the Test squad to face Pakistan in a three-match series in October in the United Arab Emirates.

For the past three years, a 29-year-old Patel, in New Zealand's domestic Plunket Shield had been a leading wicket-taker and was as well named 2017 domestic player of the year.

Patel was born in Mumbai and then later as a child moved to New Zealand. In his most recent season with Central Stags, he took 48 wickets at an average of 21.52.

Chief selector Gavin Larsen said Patel would supplant the injured Mitchell Santner in the 15-man squad to face Pakistan. "Ajaz has deserved his inclusion on the sheer weight of his domestic first-class form over the past couple of summers," he said.

"With Mitch Santner not fully recovered yet from his knee surgery, it’s nice to have both wrist (Todd Astle and Ish Sodhi) and finger (Patel) spin options, given the likely conditions in the UAE." The selectors also included Tom Blundell in the squad as wicketkeeping back-up to BJ Watling.

By Sowmya Sangam