DHAKA, Dec 1, 2023 (BSS)-Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam who played

a key role in taking the side on the brink of a historic victory against New
Zealand in their first match of World Test Championship believes this victory
would come as a huge boost for them as they would play a good number of Test
matches in the coming year.

Taijul followed up his 4-109 in the first inning with another four-wicket
haul in the second innings to reduce New Zealand to 113-7 in the chase of
332-run.

With three wickets at hands, New Zealand still need 219 runs for a victory,
which looked quite unlikely on an increasing deteriorating pitch.

"Beating a big team like New Zealand is always fun, it's different. We
haven't won the game yet but we are trying our best," Taijul said after the
day four game.

"When you would beat a big team, it will give you the confidence. It will
change the team's environment. We'll play a number of Test matches in the
coming year. So the win will help us."

The victory would come at a moment when Bangladesh's cricket is at its lowest
ebb following a disastrous World Cup mission. Moreover no senior player other
than only Mushfiqur Rahim is playing this Test series, so a victory would be
huge for this young team.

Unlike the other times when Bangladesh beat top teams like Australia and
England, this victory won't come in a rage turner. In fact the wicket played
well but what made the difference is Taijul's ability to stifle New Zealand
batters with his gem of spin bowling.

"Even in the morning the wicket did not appear to be so difficult. Our
bowlers bowled very well. Losing big batters quickly has put them under
pressure. I will not say that the wicket is very bad," Taijul stated, a thing
that got endorsed by New Zealand left-spinner Ajaz Patel.

"It's not a bad wicket. I suppose their bowlers have bowled very disciplined
and put the ball in good areas and asked us good questions for long periods
of time and, it's always challenging in the subcontinent with the amount of
spin and we've just got to make sure that we have a sound game plan and
tackle the bowling," Patel said.

For his ability to set up the batter, something he did against a modern great
like Kane Williamson twice in this match, spin bowling coach Rangana Herath
termed Taijul as a 'bowling leader' regardless of the presence of absence of
Shakib Al Hasan.

"I have been playing for nine years. The team had confidence on me that maybe
I could set him up and get out," he said.

"I stick to my plan always, no matter whether Shakib Al Hasan is with me or
not. We have so many spinners. The plan is always same: some will take
wickets some will stop runs. Had I stopped the runs, maybe Miraz or Nayeem
would have got the wicket. Whether it is or not, what matters is whether we
are playing well or not."