The New Zealand national cricket team and the Pakistan national cricket team have been rivaling each other in the longest of their forms. Both sides have had their victories to cherish in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. We have seen some brilliant batting, fabulous bowling, nail biting finishes and momentum swinging contests in the clashes between these 2 teams.
New Zealand Vs Pakistan ODI HistoryTeam Records against New ZealandPakistan62 YearsSince 1955Date31 October 2023. For the next few decades, their rivalry extended to limited-overs cricket (the Cricket World Cup as well as the T20 World Cup). Pakistan always produced fast-bowlers, wrist-spin options and explosive match-winners while New Zealand are known for team work, consistency and knock-out basketball talents.
From Pakistan’s victories in the early Test series to New Zealand’s impressive performances in recent bilateral contests, the timeline reflects how both sides have evolved. Their World Cup encounters, in particular, have produced some of the most memorable moments in their shared cricketing history.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline: Overview
It covers well over seventy years of international competition between New Zealand and Pakistan on the cricket field. Pakistan took the early lead in the rivalry, winning just the second Test between them (their first was in Karachi in October 1955). New Zealand went on from there to become a formidable enemy in all conditions and forms of cricket, a rival setting the agenda for how 21st century advisories engage.
The two sides have played each other in home and away bilateral series, as well as at neutral locations in international events. The contests between the two nations have generally been closely contested, but variations in the balance have occurred depending on format and time period.
Pakistan have recorded more wins as always in Test cricket. Overall in ODIs, Pakistan lead the record as well but have more than one significant important victories to NZ in this format. The two have added a particularly combative element to T20I cricket, with each team having enjoyed successful series and tournament runs.
Key Highlights of the Rivalry
Several milestones help explain the significance of the New Zealand vs Pakistan cricket rivalry:
- 1955: Pakistan won the first Test between the teams by an innings and one run in Karachi.
- 1973: New Zealand and Pakistan played their first ODI, which New Zealand won by 22 runs in Christchurch.
- 1992: Pakistan defeated New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup semi-final before winning the tournament.
- 1999: Pakistan again beat New Zealand in a Cricket World Cup semi-final.
- 2007: Pakistan defeated New Zealand in the first semi-final of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20.
- 2011: Ross Taylor’s unbeaten 131 helped New Zealand defeat Pakistan in a memorable World Cup group match.
- 2022: Pakistan defeated New Zealand in the T20 World Cup semi-final in Sydney.
- 2025: New Zealand swept Pakistan 3–0 in the ODI series played in New Zealand.
New Zealand vs Pakistan Head-to-Head Record
The head to head record gives a good statistical measure of the rivalry. Pakistan have overall a more favorable record with 104 Test victories compared to New Zealand’s 51, and similarly in ODIs (522 to 411) and T20Is (36 to 22), but generally New Zealand have remained competitive across all formats of the respective game.
Figures below are for Test, ODI and T20I men’s matches played at senior level (as of latest cutoffs: Tests through January 2023, ODIs through April 2025 and T20Is through February 2026). These should be refreshed with every play where additional matches are chronicled.
New Zealand vs Pakistan Head-to-Head Statistics Table
| Format | Matches Played | New Zealand Wins | Pakistan Wins | Draws, Ties or No Results |
| Test | 62 | 14 | 25 | 23 draws |
| ODI | 122 | 57 | 61 | 1 tie, 3 no-results |
| T20I | 50 | 23 | 24 | 3 no-results |
Pakistan biggest comparative advantage comes in Test cricket where they have won markedly more matches than New Zealand. The ODI record is also much tighter, with a narrow margin between the number of wins for each team. Pakistan lead T20Is too, but only just, with results on the official record stacked between two such similarly matched outfits.
Statistics of this nature should always be regarded alongside context. The overall record cannot be relied upon to predict the outcome of a future meeting as individual matches can be influenced by conditions, home advantage, availability and pressure at each tournament.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline by Year
The history of New Zealand vs Pakistan can be divided into several periods, each reflecting changes in playing styles, international schedules, and the development of the three major formats.
Early Encounters: Beginning of the Rivalry
New Zealand vs Pakistan 1st Test National Stadium, Karachi: October 13 to 17, 1955 In response to New Zealand’s first-innings total of 164, Pakistan scored 289 and won by an innings and one run. In the fifth Test, New Zealand bowled out for 124 in their second innings.
Pakistan continued their good start with a four-wicket victory in the Lahore-held second Test. The third Test in Dhaka resulted in a draw, thus Pakistan won the first three-match series 2–0.
These results laid the foundation for Pakistan being the dominant side in their early meetings. In the 1960s, the teams played each other in Test cricket but ended up with a number of drawn matches in New Zealand and Pakistan. The results began to mirror the conditions: New Zealand’s increasing competitiveness, having developed into a formidable side since this rivalry brewed.
1980s and 1990s: Competitive International Battles
The other starker limited-overs rivalry which developed in the 1980s and 1990s was between New Zealand and Pakistan. Both teams had tested themselves in ODI cricket, where brisk batting, clever bowling changes and one or two catches had the potential to change a game for either side.
One of the chapters that defined it was 1992 — the Cricket World Cup. At home, New Zealand reached the semi-final after a superb tournament campaign. Pakistan, on the other hand, put up a stunning display to eliminate the hosts in Auckland by four wickets.
Another major Pakistan win was over New Zealand in the 1999 Cricket World Cup. During the semi-final in Manchester, Pakistan dismissed New Zealand for 241/7, and chased the total successfully to win by nine wickets. Saeed Anwar’s 113 not out and three crucial wickets by Shoaib Akhtar
Pakistan had just established a dominant World Cup knockout semi-final record over New Zealand, winning their last four encounters in the tournament’s penultimate game.
2000–2010: Major Series and Memorable Matches
The bilateral cricket amongst the teams continued to grow in the 2000s. Test series still held significance, while ODIs served to both best prepare for ICC tournaments as well as develop specialist limited-overs performers.
The first significant step came in 2007, the year of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa. First Semi-final (Newlands, Cape Town): Pakistan vs New Zealand Pakistan won by six wickets to qualify for the final and finish as runners-up of the tournament. That eased Pakistan on the map with its triumph devoting itself into one of the top sides in T20 configuration and inning advancements.
During the late 2000s, bilateral cricket remained a game of one-upmanship for New Zealand and Pakistan. They showed that experienced players, bowling depth, and the adaptability to changing pitch conditions are vital.
2011–2020: Modern Cricket Rivalry
One of the most unforgettable New Zealand-vs-Pakistan matches in the history of the competition came during the 2011 Cricket World Cup. New Zealand 302/7 (Ross Taylor 131 not out) vs. Pallekele – November 16, 2016 Late in the innings, Taylor accelerated rapidly to set New Zealand a difficult target. They bowled out Pakistan for 192, winning the match by a resounding margin of 110 runs.
The two sides had previously met in a group game at Edgbaston during the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Pakistan chased, effectively winning by six wickets following New Zealand’s 237/6. Pakistan’s most crucial batsman Babar Azam scored an unbeaten ton.
Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez and many top players made their mark in the 2010s too. As the rivalry became one defined by high-scoring ODIs and rapidly-paced T20 encounters, their performances brought stability and experience.
2021–Present: Recent Encounters
Important matches in the World Cups, bilateral tours and some team leadership changes during 2021-2026. This match up had taken place when Pakistan thumped New Zealand in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final at Sydney, Bangladesh set a target of 152/4 to Pakistan, which they chased by seven wickets. A steady chase in the final by Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam got Pakistan to the finals.
Sokhi’s match came 20 months after the conclusion of the 2022–23 Test series in Pakistan, where both matches ended in draws. New Zealand went on to win the three-match ODI series 2–1. Pakistan proceeded to win the five-match ODI series on home soil against New Zealand by 4–1 in April 2023, reinforcing how strongly each side was able to respond at home.
Contesting ODI series with New Zealand in October–November resulted in yet another close-fought victory for Pakistan, winning the series 2–1 at home. In a three-match ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand hosted by the former for which the matches were played at various venues later that year; New Zealand registered a 3–0 whitewash win in the series. The two teams have faced off over T20Is, including their Super Eight match at the 2026 T20 World Cup, which led to another no-result.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline Table
| Year/Date | Tournament or Series | Format | Venue | Result |
| 13–17 October 1955 | New Zealand tour of Pakistan | Test | Karachi | Pakistan won by an innings and 1 run |
| 11 February 1973 | First ODI meeting | ODI | Christchurch | New Zealand won by 22 runs |
| 1992 | Cricket World Cup semi-final | ODI | Auckland | Pakistan won by 4 wickets |
| 1999 | Cricket World Cup semi-final | ODI | Manchester | Pakistan won by 9 wickets |
| 22 September 2007 | ICC World Twenty20 semi-final | T20I | Cape Town | Pakistan won by 6 wickets |
| 8 March 2011 | Cricket World Cup group match | ODI | Pallekele | New Zealand won by 110 runs |
| 26 June 2019 | Cricket World Cup group match | ODI | Birmingham | Pakistan won by 6 wickets |
| 9 November 2022 | T20 World Cup semi-final | T20I | Sydney | Pakistan won by 7 wickets |
| January 2023 | Pakistan tour of New Zealand | ODI | Karachi | New Zealand won series 2–1 |
| April 2023 | New Zealand tour of Pakistan | ODI | Pakistan | Pakistan won series 4–1 |
| March–April 2025 | Pakistan tour of New Zealand | T20I and ODI | New Zealand | New Zealand won T20I series 4–1 and ODI series 3–0 |
| 2026 | T20 World Cup Super Eight | T20I | Colombo | Match abandoned without a result |
Also Read : India National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline
New Zealand vs Pakistan Test Match Timeline
The rivalry has boiled since 1955 through Test format. It is a format that relies more on patience, technique, bowling stamina and reading of changing pitch conditions. Pakistan’s historic edge in Test matches is a result of numerous home series wins and fruitful generations of batters and bowlers.
Much of New Zealand’s most significant Test results have come when their seam bowlers have exploited conducive conditions, as well. If they had not been so disciplined and good at building partnerships, perhaps they would have struggled to push Pakistan, whether at home or abroad.
It again showed how narrow the margin between victory and defeat has become in modern cricket during the 2023 Test series in Karachi. The two Tests could not have produced a winner, with neither side managing to win the series as they both ended in draws despite extended batting performances. Devon Conway (122 in the first innings) starred for New Zealand at the second Test but Pakistan Sarfaraz Ahmed, who made invaluable contributions with the bat and was named Player of the Match.
New Zealand vs Pakistan ODI Match Timeline
Many of these iconic moments from the rivalry have come in ODI cricket. The inaugural One Day International between New Zealand and Pakistan was played in Christchurch on 11 February 1973, New Zealand won the match by 22 runs. The teams have then played each other in bilateral series and at international tournaments over the course of multiple decades since.
Explosive batsmen, reverse swing and fast bowlers who can change the course of a match have been among Pakistan’s ODI strengths. They have often worked on the back of a structured top order and a flexible seam attack and tight hitting. Both strategies have generated significant wins.
In the 2023 ODI series – he capped up with Team New Zealand defeating Pakistan by 2–1. Later that year, Pakistan returned the favour in the five-match series, winning 4–1. Just like the 2023 World Cup, New Zealand were able to show their ODI prowess again when they won all three ODIs home of Pakistan in 2025.
New Zealand vs Pakistan ODI World Cup History
This rivalry has been defined by the ODI World Cup. Both references stand out because Pakistan defeated New Zealand in the semi-finals of 1992 and 1999, thus eliminating them from playing for a World Cup title.
New Zealand followed suit in 2011, beating Pakistan by 110 runs with Ross Taylor making an unbeaten 131. Pakistan, meanwhile, chased down 316 against New Zealand to win in 2019 by six wickets, thanks to Babar Azam’s century.
Thus, these meetings highlight the extreme interest in the bathing history of both teams at the Cup. Results from high-pressure tournament matches can differ greatly from bilateral series, and individual performances frequently become a highlight.
New Zealand vs Pakistan T20I Match Timeline
The New Zealand–Pakistan rivalry has gained an all-new fast-paced and unpredictable layer in T20I cricket. The shorter format rewards power-hitting, well-executed bowling, athletic fielding and the ability to respond quickly to match situations.
Their first heavyweight T20I clash was against Pakistan in the semi-final of the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, where New Zealand lost out. They then triumphed over the kiwis once more in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal where they recovered from a poor bowling start to chase down New Zealand’s total with seven wickets and full five overs to spare.
Even bilateral T20I series have been tight affairs. Pakistan played a five-match series in New Zealand in 2024, which finished in a 2–2 tie (1 match was washed out). A 4–1 home win over New Zealand in the five-match series in March 2025 further strengthened that impression.
Pakistan vs New Zealand T20 World Cup Matches
Encounters in the T20 World Cup have often had a lot riding on them. Pakistan made it to the first ever tournament final with a win by six wickets in the semi-final of 2007. A spot in the final was also confirmed after their seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the semi-final of 2022.
That led to another chapter at the 2026 T20 World Cup, even though their Super Eight match was called off as a no-result. These results must prove the ultimate tournament’s standing is just as influenced by weather and playing conditions as they are of any on-field performances.
Most Memorable Matches Between New Zealand and Pakistan
Several matches stand out when reviewing the New Zealand national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team timeline.
- Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1992 World Cup semi-final: New Zealand posted 262/7, led by Martin Crowe’s 91. Pakistan chased the target successfully, winning by four wickets. Inzamam-ul-Haq’s aggressive 60 helped change the momentum.
- Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1999 World Cup semi-final: New Zealand scored 241/7, but Pakistan chased the total with nine wickets remaining. Saeed Anwar’s unbeaten 113 was the standout batting performance.
- New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2011 World Cup: New Zealand scored 302/7, with Ross Taylor making 131 not out. Pakistan were dismissed for 192, giving New Zealand a 110-run win.
- Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2019 World Cup: New Zealand made 237/6. Pakistan reached the target with six wickets remaining, thanks in large part to Babar Azam’s unbeaten century.
- Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final: New Zealand scored 152/4. Pakistan chased the target, winning by seven wickets and qualifying for the final.
Each match represents a different phase of the rivalry, from Pakistan’s historic World Cup success to New Zealand’s major limited-overs victories.
New Zealand vs Pakistan Recent Match Results
There have been numerous bilateral series recently demonstrating how often momentum swings between each side. Pakistan defeated New Zealand 4–1 in 2023 five-match ODI series at home and New Zealand beat Pakistan 3–0 for an ODI series on home soil in 2025. This is New Zealand’s clinched 2025 home series 4–1 as well in T20Is
It was match five of 26 March 2025 at Wellington where New Zealand had a particularly good performance. In reply, Pakistan lost nine wickets for 128 runs as Jimmy Neesham took five for St. 122 of the five wickets. From there, New Zealand cruised to 131/2 in only 10 overs at a time when Tim Seifert was at a fantastic unbeaten 97 from 38 deliveries. The match started on 2 October as a must-win game for India, and they lost the series 4–1 when New Zealand won by eight wickets.
Recent Matches Table
| Date | Format | Match or Series | Winner | Key Performance |
| January 2023 | ODI | Pakistan vs New Zealand, 3-match series | New Zealand, 2–1 | New Zealand won the deciding ODI |
| April 2023 | ODI | New Zealand tour of Pakistan, 5-match series | Pakistan, 4–1 | Pakistan won four matches |
| March 2025 | T20I | New Zealand vs Pakistan, 5th T20I | New Zealand | Jimmy Neesham 5/22; Tim Seifert 97* |
| March–April 2025 | ODI | New Zealand vs Pakistan, 3-match series | New Zealand, 3–0 | New Zealand won all three matches |
| February 2026 | T20I | T20 World Cup Super Eight | No result | Match abandoned |
Conclusion
Timeline New Zealand national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team The international rivalry played between the New Zealand and Pakistan national cricket teams is an active one which began in 1955. The early Test triumphs of Pakistan and the classic World Cup semi-final clashes of 1992 & 1999 have provided some moments that rugby fans can cherish across generations.
Some memorable performances from Ross Taylor and Babar Azam graced the stage of ODI cricket, while T20I encounters underlined Pakistan’s tournament tenacity and New Zealand realised growing consistency in the shortest format. The balance can swing rapidly from one side to another again, as has been shown in recent bilateral series that heavily depended on conditions, team selection and individual performances.
FAQs
1. When did New Zealand and Pakistan first play against each other?
New Zealand and Pakistan first played a Test match from 13 to 17 October 1955 in Karachi, Pakistan. Pakistan won the match by an innings and one run.
2. Which team has won more matches between New Zealand and Pakistan?
Pakistan lead the overall senior men’s international head-to-head record across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. However, New Zealand have recorded many important wins, particularly in limited-overs cricket.
3. What is the New Zealand vs Pakistan Test head-to-head record?
The teams have played 62 Test matches in the recorded head-to-head statistics. Pakistan have won 25, New Zealand have won 14, and 23 matches have ended in draws.
4. What is the New Zealand vs Pakistan ODI head-to-head record?
The recorded ODI head-to-head stands at 122 matches, with Pakistan winning 61 and New Zealand winning 57. One match was tied and three ended without a result.
5. How many T20I matches have Pakistan and New Zealand played?
The teams have played 50 T20Is in the cited records. Pakistan have won 24, New Zealand have won 23, and three matches have ended without a result.
Also Read :
- India national cricket team vs south Africa national cricket team timeline
- Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
- India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline
