Black Caps paceman Trent Boult says his own batting performance is a commentary on the conditions that the New Zealand and Bangladesh bowling attacks have battled in the first cricket Test.

The match on a slow, newly laid pitch in Chittagong looks likely to peter out to a high-scoring draw.

New Zealand will start the final day at 1-117 in their second innings, a lead of 85 runs, with opener Peter Fulton resuming on 44 and first-innings century maker Kane Williamson on 28.

Hamish Rutherford was the batsman dismissed for 32.

Bangladesh’s first innings finally ended on 501, lower-order batman Sohag Gazi getting his maiden Test century with an unbeaten 101 to follow teammate Mominul Haque’s 181.

A 22-year-old offspinner, whose highest previous Test score was 32, Gazi hit 10 boundaries and three sixes.

Doug Bracewell was the best of the New Zealand bowlers with 3-96, while Boult and Test debutants Corey Anderson and spinner Ish Sodhi each grabbed two wickets.

Boult said the conditions made it tough for the bowlers.

“It’s a flat surface, pretty unresponsive,” he said.

“The ball has tended to scuff up quite quickly as well, so the new ball was very important, but it’s very testing as a seam bowler specifically.”

Boult pointed to the 52 not out he scored as the tailender in New Zealand’s first innings of 469.

“If the No.11 is getting runs, it’s obviously a good wicket,” he said.

“Patience and accuracy have to come in from the bowling point of view but it’s definitely a good surface and good for batting on.”

Because rain stopped play ahead of schedule on day four, the final day on Sunday will begin half an hour earlier.

The second Test is in Dhaka from October 21-25, and will be followed by three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match.