Bangladesh offspinner Nayeem Hasan believes his side is on track to take the lead past 200 runs, which is good enough to defend on this wicket in the second and final Test as they are bidding a first ever Test series victory over New Zealand.
After the entire second day and the first session of the third was washed out due to rain and wet outfields, Bangladesh came onto the ground with the aim of wrapping up New Zealand first innings as early as possible.
But to their dismay, Phillips came up with a surprising attack as New Zealand, which resumed at 55-5, were bundled out for 180, taking an 8-run lead. Bangladesh were 38-2 in its second innings when play was called off due to bad light.
"I think it's better for us to bat as long as we can. If we can put up 200/220, it will be easier to defend on this wicket," Nayeem said here today.
And his statement was endorsed by Phillips who struck 72 ball-87 to deny Bangladesh's control.
"I'd probably say anywhere around that 180-200 mark is gonna be a good score and tough to chase. Not impossible to do, but obviously it's gonna take some work, and we're gonna have to stick to our game plans really well. But, if we can keep them to anything under 200 we'll be really happy," Phillips said.
Nayeem said they were not disappointed to concede the lead, knowing that they could turn the tables.
"They are here to play. Some of them played a good innings and that's why they can take a lead. I think if we can bat well in the second innings, we'll win this match. At this moment, we are ahead of them because we have the lead," Nayeem said.
He, however, didn't think the way Phillips batted in those innings was the only way to thrive on this difficult pitch.
"Everyone has their own formula. Someone loves to bat for a long time, someone works hard to build an innings, or someone hit the bowlers to score fluently. Everyone's game plan is different. He might be successful today in his plan, but there is no guarantee that he will be successful in the second innings by batting such a way," Nayeem remarked.
