Patel was the star in the dramatic four-run win over Pakistan in the first test in Abu Dhabi this week.
The 30-year-old Central Districts spinner nabbed five for 59 to help bowl his side to a surprise victory.
But in a previous incarnation the left-arm tweaker was actually a left-arm pace bowler.
The former Auckland under-19 representative switched to spin midway through a match when he was in his early 20s and it went well.
Former New Zealand spinner Dipak Patel helped with the change and told Radio New Zealand Ajaz showed promise very early on.
''He came to see me about converting to spin and really, to be honest with you, from the very first moment I saw him bowl spin, he was a natural,'' Dipak said.
''The thing about it, he's got the ability to spin the ball and from there on it's an art and you learn and it takes a long time and I think he's reaping the rewards from that.''
While Ajaz might have been a natural, he had to shift to get an opportunity.
He moved to Napier and made his debut for Central Districts in a twenty20 game in December 2012.
It did not go terribly well. He was flogged for 37 runs from three overs.
But the selectors kept faith and in his next outing later that month he took three wickets in his first-class debut.
Patel has been the leading wicket-taker in the Plunket Shield for the last three seasons and earned a national call up this summer.
His opportunity came about with regular left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner on an injury break.
Ajaz has certainly made the most of his chance.
He became the ninth New Zealander to take five wickets in an innings on debut.
Pakistan had resumed day four on 37 without loss, needing a further 139 to wrap up the victory.
The home team was still well-placed at 130 for four at lunch. But the run-out of Babar Azam shortly after the break triggered a collapse.
The final five wickets fells for just 24 runs.
Former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said Ajaz's game had ''evolved a lot in the last 12 months''.
''He was more a defensive bowler who bowled a lot over the wicket into the rough and contained runs. But he is now showing more of his full skill set in terms of the drift and variation in pace.
''The fact he puts a lot of revs on the ball ... is a huge asset, especially in those conditions.''
- Additionally reported by Radio New Zealand
