New Zealand wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver said on Monday in Chattogram that Bangladesh’s middle-order batting decided the first T20I, as Bangladesh national cricket team chased 183 to beat New Zealand national cricket team by six wickets and take a 1-0 series lead.
“They started well with the ball and kept us under pressure with good line and length, but Bangladesh handled that pressure well and did not lose too many wickets,” Cleaver said. He acknowledged early control from New Zealand’s bowlers but identified Bangladesh’s low-risk approach as the key factor that kept the chase stable.
“Even when the run rate was in our favour, they took the game away from us,” he added. This reflects how Bangladesh shifted momentum through calculated acceleration rather than sustained dominance.
Cleaver focused on the finishing phase led by Tawhid Hridoy and Shamim Hossain. “The two batters at the end showed their class. They played all around the ground and used the pace to hit sixes,” he said. He highlighted their shot range and ability to convert pace into scoring options, which reduced defensive control.
“They produced high-quality batting, and our bowlers will learn from this and try to improve in the next match,” he said. This admission points to execution gaps in New Zealand’s death bowling rather than structural issues.
Cleaver also addressed the conditions and shot selection. “The pitch was very good, and there was some wind. The batters used it smartly and played shots behind the wicket as well as straight,” he said. His assessment shows Bangladesh adapted better to external conditions, particularly by using wind direction to extend hitting zones.
“I did not know about the record before, but it is good to hear,” he said. He confirmed that Bangladesh’s chase marked their highest successful pursuit against New Zealand, reinforcing the scale of the performance.
Cleaver maintained that the gap between the teams remains narrow. “We did many things well and we are not far behind. The way they batted at the end gives us a lot to learn, and we will try to apply that in the next match,” he said.
