DHAKA, Dec 1, 2023 (BSS)-New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel said his team would

fight hard before conceding the defeat against Bangladesh in the two-match
series opening Test.

Chasing a victory target of 332, New Zealand were reduced to 113-7 at stumps
on day four, being humbled by the gem of spin of Bangladesh left-arm spinner
Taijul Islam.

They still need 219 runs with three wickets at hands for an unlikely victory
with Daryl Mitchell batting on 44 with Ish Sodhi on 7.

"A lot of batting to do tomorrow. We've got Dazzler (Mitchell) there who's
batted quite nicely today. And we know how capable Ish (Sodhi) is with the
bat as well," Patle said.

"I think we pride ourselves to fight all the way through. So, it'll be an
interesting day tomorrow. We'll come out there and still fight and see where
we get to."

No team successfully chased down a 300 plus target successful on Bangladesh
soil. But Patel refused to give up.

He instead said as they experienced in the last four days that the pitch
behaved well in the morning session.

"I think it's shown consistently the morning period probably doesn't have as
much in it. And then as the day goes further on it starts to kind of dry up
that top layer and it starts to spin a little bit more," Patel said.

"So, it'll be interesting to see how it plays out on day five. But I suppose
also the other thing to factor in is that new ball probably bites a little
bit more and the older ball is a little bit softer. And maybe doesn't spit as
much."

Heaping praise of Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam, he said: "He's bowled
really well. I mean, obviously, he's played a lot of cricket and he's
definitely a very, very skilled bowler and fair credit to him, he put the
ball in good areas for long periods of time and he bowled really well."