Introduction to New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline
The New Zealand–Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of those quietly intense matchups that has matured over nearly 70 years. It began in 1955 when Pakistan toured New Zealand for a three-Test series and made an instant impact by winning two of the three matches. Since then, both teams have had their share of highs and lows, with Pakistan dominating in the ’80s and ’90s and New Zealand striking back in the 2000s and 2010s.
They’ve faced each other across all major ICC events — including Cricket World Cups, T20 World Cups, and Champions Trophy tournaments — producing high-stakes battles and dramatic finishes. From Saeed Anwar’s flamboyant centuries to Trent Boult’s precise swing bowling, the rivalry has seen generations of greats leave their mark.
This article breaks down the full match history of New Zealand vs Pakistan across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is — decade by decade — complete with stats, player highlights, and unforgettable moments.
Table of Contents
Timeline Table: All Matches Between New Zealand and Pakistan (1955–2025)
| Year | Format | Match Details & Date | Venue | Winner/Result | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Test | 3-Test Series | Karachi, Lahore, Dhaka | Pakistan wins 2–0 | First ever series between the two teams |
| 1973 | ODI | 1st ODI – Feb 11 | Christchurch | New Zealand | NZ wins by 22 runs |
| 1976 | Test | 3-Test Series | Lahore, Hyderabad, Karachi | Pakistan wins 2–0 | Strong home performance by Pakistan |
| 1985 | ODI | Series | New Zealand | Mixed results | Even series |
| 1993 | Test | 3-Test Series | Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch | Pakistan wins 2–1 | Pakistan edges out the series |
| 1996 | Test | 2-Test Series | Lahore, Rawalpindi | Drawn 1–1 | Balanced contest |
| 2003 | ODI | Multiple Matches | Neutral venues and home grounds | Balanced | Wins on both sides |
| 2007 | T20I | World T20 Semi-Final – Sep 22 | Cape Town (Neutral) | Pakistan | Won by 6 wickets |
| 2010 | Test | 2-Test Series | Hamilton, Wellington | Pakistan wins 1–0 | Dominated the 1st Test |
| 2014 | Test | 3-Test Series (UAE) | Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah | Drawn 1–1 | Close-fought neutral series |
| 2016 | Test | 2-Test Series | Christchurch, Hamilton | New Zealand wins 2–0 | Clean sweep by NZ |
| 2017 | ODI | 5-ODI Series | New Zealand | New Zealand wins 5–0 | Complete dominance |
| 2018 | Test | 3-Test Series (UAE) | Abu Dhabi, Dubai | New Zealand wins 2–1 | Historic away series win |
| 2020 | Test | 2-Test Series | Mount Maunganui, Christchurch | New Zealand wins 2–0 | Strong home showing |
| 2021 | T20I | Series | Pakistan | Pakistan wins | Consistent T20 performance |
| 2022 | T20I | World Cup Semi-Final | Australia | Pakistan wins | Reached T20 Final |
| 2023 | ODI | Series | Pakistan | Pakistan wins | World Cup prep |
| 2024 | T20I | 5-Match Series | New Zealand | New Zealand wins 4–1 | Convincing series win |
| 2025 | ODI | 3-Match Series | New Zealand | New Zealand wins 3–0 | Swept the ODI series |
Decade-by-Decade Breakdown
1950s–1970s: Early Rivalry
The rivalry kicked off in 1955 with a three-Test series in New Zealand. Pakistan won two matches and announced their presence in international cricket. Over the next two decades, matches were sporadic, but each encounter carried significance. The first ODI came in 1973 when New Zealand beat Pakistan in Christchurch.
Top Performers (1950s–1970s)
| Player | Team | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Hanif Mohammad | Pakistan | Century in early Tests |
| Glenn Turner | New Zealand | Solid batting vs Pakistan |
| Intikhab Alam | Pakistan | Consistent wickets |
1980s–1990s: Pakistan’s Domination
This period belonged to Pakistan. They won consistently in both Tests and ODIs, thanks to legends like Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, and Saeed Anwar. In the 1993 Test series in New Zealand, Pakistan pulled off a 2–1 victory, showcasing their strength overseas.
Top Performers (1980s–1990s)
| Player | Team | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Saeed Anwar | Pakistan | Multiple centuries in ODIs |
| Wasim Akram | Pakistan | Match-winning spells |
| Martin Crowe | New Zealand | Key middle-order contributor |
2000s–2010s: Balanced Competition
The playing field began to level out. New Zealand improved drastically at home, while Pakistan continued to be strong in the UAE and subcontinent. The 2007 T20 World Cup semi-final was a pivotal moment, where Pakistan knocked out New Zealand. In 2016, New Zealand swept the Test series 2–0 at home — their first Test series win over Pakistan in three decades.
Top Performers (2000s–2010s)
| Player | Team | Format | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ross Taylor | New Zealand | Tests/ODIs | Consistent batting |
| Mohammad Hafeez | Pakistan | All formats | Runs & wickets |
| Kane Williamson | New Zealand | Tests/T20Is | Anchoring innings |
2020s–2025: Modern Era Battles
The rivalry intensified in the T20 format. Pakistan eliminated New Zealand in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal, while New Zealand returned the favor with a 4–1 T20I series win at home in 2024. In March 2025, New Zealand whitewashed Pakistan 3–0 in an ODI series, showing complete dominance.
Top Performers (2020s–2025)
| Player | Team | Format | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | All formats | Century in T20s |
| Will Young | New Zealand | ODIs | Big knock in 2025 |
| Haris Rauf | Pakistan | T20Is | Leading wicket-taker |
| Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand | ODIs | Match-winning 50s |
Head-to-Head Stats
| Format | Matches | Pakistan Wins | New Zealand Wins | Draw / No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 39 | 25 | 14 | 0 |
| ODI | 122 | 61 | 56 | 5 |
| T20I | 49 | 24 | 23 | 2 |
Top 5 Memorable Matches
- T20 World Cup 2007 Semi-Final
Pakistan beat New Zealand by 6 wickets in a dramatic semifinal. - 2025 Champions Trophy Group Match
New Zealand chased 320+ against Pakistan with centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham. - 3rd T20I – March 21, 2025
Hassan Nawaz’s unbeaten century gave Pakistan their only win in a 5-match T20I series. - 2018 UAE Test Series
New Zealand won 2–1 away in the UAE — a rare overseas series win. - 2016 Test Series in New Zealand
First Test series whitewash by New Zealand over Pakistan in 31 years.
Top Performers (All-Time)
Batsmen
| Player | Team | Format | Runs Scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | T20I | 880+ |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | T20I | 689+ |
| Kane Williamson | New Zealand | All formats | 1000+ (combined est) |
| Martin Guptill | New Zealand | ODIs | 600+ |
Bowlers
| Player | Team | Format | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mushtaq Ahmed | Pakistan | Tests | 18 in 1996 series |
| Waqar Younis | Pakistan | ODIs | Several 5-fors |
| Tim Southee | New Zealand | Tests/ODIs | Over 30 wickets |
| Haris Rauf | Pakistan | T20I | Leading in 2020s |
Upcoming Matches
As of mid-2025, there are no officially scheduled series between New Zealand and Pakistan in the ICC calendar. Future tours may be announced as part of ICC World Test Championship cycles or bilateral agreements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many times has Pakistan defeated New Zealand in World Cups?
Pakistan has defeated New Zealand multiple times in ICC World Cup and T20 World Cup matches, including crucial semifinals.
Q2: Who has scored the most runs in New Zealand vs Pakistan matches?
Babar Azam holds the record in T20Is with over 880 runs, while Kane Williamson and Rizwan have also made significant contributions across formats.
Q3: What’s the most thrilling match between the two sides?
The 2025 Champions Trophy group match, where New Zealand chased over 320 with two centuries, ranks as one of the most thrilling.
Q4: Which team has more Test wins in the rivalry?
Pakistan leads comfortably in Tests, with 25 wins compared to New Zealand’s 14.
Q5: Who are the top wicket-takers in this rivalry?
Mushtaq Ahmed (Pakistan), Tim Southee (New Zealand), and Haris Rauf (Pakistan – T20I) have led their sides with the ball.
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