Introduction
The Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline tells the fascinating story of two cricketing nations that have evolved from distant competitors to fierce and respected rivals. When Bangladesh first met New Zealand in the late 1990s, the Tigers were still finding their feet in international cricket. New Zealand, on the other hand, had already established itself as a consistent force known for its discipline, swing bowling, and sportsmanship.
Over the years, this rivalry has produced unforgettable matches, emotional victories, and defining cricketing moments. From Bangladesh’s hard-fought early struggles to their historic Test win in New Zealand in 2022, this rivalry reflects the true spirit of growth, perseverance, and competition in modern cricket.
This comprehensive article presents the Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline in full detail — including year-by-year progress, head-to-head records, iconic matches, top players, and stats that define one of cricket’s most underrated rivalries.
Table of Contents
Timeline Section – Complete Year-by-Year Match History
Test Match Timeline
| Year | Format | Series/Tournament | Venue | Winner | Key Players | Notable Moments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Test | Bangladesh Tour of New Zealand | Hamilton | New Zealand | Stephen Fleming, Chris Cairns | Bangladesh played their first-ever Test vs NZ; huge learning curve. |
| 2008 | Test | Bangladesh Tour of New Zealand | Dunedin | New Zealand | Daniel Vettori, Tamim Iqbal | Tamim’s fearless batting impressed the world. |
| 2010 | Test | New Zealand Tour of Bangladesh | Mirpur | New Zealand | Ross Taylor, Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh pushed NZ hard but fell short. |
| 2013 | Test | New Zealand Tour of Bangladesh | Chattogram | Draw | Shakib Al Hasan, Kane Williamson | Bangladesh’s first-ever drawn Test vs NZ. |
| 2016 | Test | Bangladesh Tour of New Zealand | Wellington | New Zealand | Williamson, Shakib Al Hasan | Shakib’s 217 runs – Bangladesh’s highest individual Test score. |
| 2019 | Test | New Zealand Tour of Bangladesh | Hamilton | New Zealand | Ross Taylor, Tamim Iqbal | NZ dominated; Taylor hit a double century. |
| 2022 | Test | Bangladesh Tour of New Zealand | Mount Maunganui | Bangladesh | Ebadot Hossain, Litton Das | Bangladesh’s first-ever Test win in New Zealand – historic moment. |
| 2025 | Test | Ongoing Rivalry | TBD | TBD | TBD | The rivalry continues with new players rising. |
ODI Match Timeline
| Year | Format | Series/Tournament | Venue | Winner | Key Players | Notable Moments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | ODI | Bangladesh Tour of New Zealand | Auckland | New Zealand | Chris Harris, Aminul Islam | First-ever ODI clash between both teams. |
| 2001 | ODI | Tri-Series (with Pakistan) | Sharjah | New Zealand | Nathan Astle, Khaled Mashud | NZ dominated early encounters. |
| 2008 | ODI | Bangladesh Tour of New Zealand | Napier | New Zealand | Jacob Oram, Tamim Iqbal | Tamim’s 103 – Bangladesh’s first ODI century vs NZ. |
| 2010 | ODI | New Zealand Tour of Bangladesh | Mirpur | Bangladesh | Shakib Al Hasan, Rubel Hossain | Bangladesh whitewashed New Zealand 4–0 at home. |
| 2015 | ODI | ICC World Cup | Hamilton | New Zealand | Martin Guptill, Mahmudullah | High-scoring thriller; NZ won by 3 wickets. |
| 2017 | ODI | Champions Trophy | Cardiff | Bangladesh | Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah | Bangladesh chased 266 – one of their greatest wins. |
| 2019 | ODI | ICC World Cup | The Oval | New Zealand | Williamson, Mushfiqur Rahim | NZ edged Bangladesh in a tense finish. |
| 2023 | ODI | Bangladesh Tour of New Zealand | Christchurch | New Zealand | Daryl Mitchell, Litton Das | NZ’s strong home series win. |
| 2025 | ODI | Expected Bilateral Series | TBD | TBD | TBD | Rivalry continues with new generation stars. |
T20 Match Timeline
| Year | Format | Series/Tournament | Venue | Winner | Key Players | Notable Moments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | T20 | Bangladesh Tour of New Zealand | Hamilton | New Zealand | Brendon McCullum | First T20 meeting; NZ dominated. |
| 2013 | T20 | Bangladesh Tour of New Zealand | Auckland | New Zealand | Corey Anderson | NZ’s all-round show sealed the game. |
| 2017 | T20 | Bangladesh Tour of New Zealand | Napier | New Zealand | Kane Williamson | Bangladesh struggled in NZ conditions. |
| 2021 | T20 | New Zealand Tour of Bangladesh | Mirpur | Bangladesh | Shakib Al Hasan, Nasum Ahmed | Bangladesh won home T20 series 3–2. |
| 2022 | T20 World Cup | Brisbane | New Zealand | Glenn Phillips | NZ crushed Bangladesh in Super 12s. | |
| 2025 | T20 | Bilateral Series (Planned) | TBD | TBD | TBD | Anticipated rematch between new captains. |
Head-to-Head Statistics
| Format | Matches | Bangladesh Wins | New Zealand Wins | Draw/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 19 | 2 | 14 | 3 |
| ODI | 44 | 11 | 32 | 1 |
| T20 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 0 |
| Total | 80 | 18 | 58 | 4 |
Winning Percentages:
- Bangladesh: ~22% overall
- New Zealand: ~72% overall
Despite New Zealand’s upper hand, Bangladesh’s growth since 2010 is remarkable — especially with home wins and their landmark Test victory in 2022.
Memorable Matches & Key Moments
1. 2010 – Bangladesh Whitewash New Zealand (4–0 ODI Series, Mirpur)
A turning point in Bangladesh cricket. Under Shakib Al Hasan’s captaincy, Bangladesh stunned the cricket world by clean-sweeping New Zealand 4–0 at home. Shakib’s all-round brilliance and Rubel Hossain’s pace inspired a generation.
2. 2015 World Cup Thriller – Hamilton
In the 2015 ICC World Cup group stage, Bangladesh put up 288, with Mahmudullah’s century leading the charge. New Zealand chased it with grit, winning by 3 wickets in a nail-biting finish.
3. 2017 Champions Trophy – Cardiff Miracle
Bangladesh scripted one of their greatest wins by chasing down 266 against New Zealand, thanks to a 224-run partnership between Shakib Al Hasan (114) and Mahmudullah (102*). It marked Bangladesh’s rise as a giant-killer in ICC events.
4. 2021 – Historic Test Win in New Zealand
Bangladesh created history at Mount Maunganui when they beat New Zealand by 8 wickets — their first-ever Test victory on New Zealand soil. Ebadot Hossain’s fiery spell (6/46) and Litton Das’s composed batting sealed the moment.
5. 2021 T20 Series – Bangladesh’s Spin Web
On spinning Mirpur tracks, Bangladesh won a five-match T20 series 3–2 against New Zealand — their first-ever T20 series win over the Kiwis. Shakib and Nasum Ahmed starred with the ball.
Key Players Who Defined the Rivalry
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
Arguably the most influential Bangladeshi cricketer, Shakib’s all-round heroics have repeatedly haunted New Zealand. From his 2010 whitewash leadership to his 2017 Champions Trophy century, he remains the face of this rivalry.
Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
Williamson’s calm leadership and consistent batting have anchored New Zealand in crucial matches. His tactical approach neutralized Bangladesh’s spinners many times, especially in subcontinent tours.
Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh)
Known for his grit and fighting spirit, Mushfiqur has been Bangladesh’s dependable performer against the Kiwis — whether in Tests or ODIs. His partnerships with Tamim and Shakib often rescued Bangladesh from collapses.
Ross Taylor (New Zealand)
Taylor’s dominance over Bangladesh bowlers in Tests and ODIs was unmatched. His 200 in Hamilton (2019) remains a masterclass in patience and power.
Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)
A fearless opener, Tamim’s attacking centuries against New Zealand — particularly his 2008 Napier ton — helped Bangladesh gain global respect.
Trent Boult (New Zealand)
Boult’s swing and precision have been nightmares for Bangladeshi batters, especially in New Zealand conditions. His multiple five-wicket hauls underline his impact in the rivalry.
Statistical Breakdown by Format
Top Run Scorers
| Player | Team | Format | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kane Williamson | New Zealand | All | 1700+ |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | All | 1500+ |
| Tamim Iqbal | Bangladesh | All | 1400+ |
| Ross Taylor | New Zealand | All | 1300+ |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | Bangladesh | All | 1200+ |
Top Wicket-Takers
| Player | Team | Format | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trent Boult | New Zealand | All | 65+ |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | All | 60+ |
| Tim Southee | New Zealand | All | 55+ |
| Ebadot Hossain | Bangladesh | Test | 25+ |
| Nasum Ahmed | Bangladesh | T20 | 20+ |
Best Partnerships
- Shakib Al Hasan & Mahmudullah – 224 runs (Cardiff, 2017 Champions Trophy)
- Tamim Iqbal & Mushfiqur Rahim – 180 runs (Dhaka, 2010 ODI)
- Williamson & Taylor – 160 runs (Hamilton, 2019 Test)
Overall Timeline Summary (Year-by-Year)
- 1997 – First-ever ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand.
- 2001 – Bangladesh played their first Test against New Zealand.
- 2008 – Tamim Iqbal’s first ODI century against NZ.
- 2010 – Bangladesh whitewashed New Zealand 4–0 at home (ODIs).
- 2013 – First drawn Test between the sides.
- 2015 – Close World Cup match in Hamilton.
- 2017 – Bangladesh’s miracle win in Champions Trophy.
- 2021 – Bangladesh won T20 home series 3–2.
- 2022 – Bangladesh’s historic first Test win in New Zealand.
- 2025 – Next chapter of the rivalry continues.
Conclusion
From humble beginnings in the late 1990s to thrilling contests in the 2020s, the Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline tells the inspiring story of growth, resilience, and cricketing respect.
While New Zealand’s dominance in early years set the tone, Bangladesh’s persistence transformed the rivalry into one of the most competitive duels in world cricket. Historic victories in 2010 and 2022 proved that Bangladesh can conquer giants.
As both teams gear up for their next encounters in 2025 and beyond, this rivalry continues to inspire fans — symbolizing the evolution of Asian cricket and the unending spirit of competition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who has won more matches between Bangladesh and New Zealand?
New Zealand has won the majority of matches across all formats, maintaining around a 72% win rate overall.
2. When did Bangladesh first defeat New Zealand in a Test match?
Bangladesh achieved their first Test win against New Zealand in January 2022 at Mount Maunganui.
3. How many times have they faced each other in World Cups?
They have met three times in ICC World Cups (2007, 2015, and 2019) — New Zealand won all three encounters.
4. Which players have scored the most runs and taken the most wickets in this rivalry?
Kane Williamson and Shakib Al Hasan lead the batting charts, while Trent Boult and Shakib dominate with the ball.
5. What’s next for this exciting rivalry?
With new talents emerging in both sides, the 2025 tours promise fresh chapters in an already thrilling cricket rivalry.
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