Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline – Complete Head-to-Head & Match History

Introduction

The cricketing rivalry between the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline is one of the most compelling narratives in modern international cricket. Though not as historically intense as some of the traditional rivalries, the encounters between these two proud cricketing nations have consistently delivered high-octane action, nail-biting finishes, and moments of individual brilliance. From dramatic World Cup clashes to tense Test battles and explosive T20 showdowns, the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand head-to-head record reflects a balanced contest where both teams have pushed each other to their limits.

Documenting the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline is essential for fans, historians, and analysts alike. It provides a comprehensive view of how these two sides have evolved over decades, adapting to changing formats, playing conditions, and leadership styles. Head-to-head statistics are more than just numbers—they tell stories of resilience, comebacks, and breakthrough performances. Fans follow these stats not only to celebrate past glories but also to anticipate future contests, especially in ICC tournaments where history often repeats itself.

This article offers a detailed chronology of every official match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand across all formats—Test, ODI, and T20—up to 2025. We delve into key performances, statistical milestones, and unforgettable moments that have shaped this rivalry. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a curious follower, this comprehensive SL vs NZ match history will serve as your ultimate reference guide.

Table of Contents

Timeline of Matches

Below is a complete chronological list of all official international matches between Sri Lanka and New Zealand across all three formats up to 2025. The table includes match number, date, venue, format, result, and notable individual performances.

1	1983-06-11	Trent Bridge, Nottingham	ODI	New Zealand won by 10 wickets	Richard Hadlee 4/28; Sunil Gunasekara 3/32
2	1983-06-20	Edgbaston, Birmingham	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Duleep Mendis 53; Jeff Crowe 64
3	1984-02-15	Lancaster Park, Christchurch	Test	Match Drawn	Arjuna Ranatunga 77; Richard Hadlee 5/54
4	1984-02-22	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Test	Match Drawn	Sidath Wettimuny 86; Richard Hadlee 4/48
5	1984-03-02	Eden Park, Auckland	Test	Match Drawn	Roy Dias 75; Ewen Chatfield 4/59
6	1984-02-18	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	John Reid 46; Arjuna Ranatunga 41
7	1984-02-25	Basin Reserve, Wellington	ODI	New Zealand won by 7 wickets	Martin Crowe 45*; Roy Dias 43
8	1984-03-04	Lancaster Park, Christchurch	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	John Reid 47; David Boon 3/38
9	1986-02-28	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets	Arjuna Ranatunga 56; David Boon 3/32
10	1986-03-02	Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Roy Dias 44; Richard Hadlee 3/38
11	1987-10-15	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi	ODI (World Cup)	Sri Lanka won by 33 runs	Arjuna Ranatunga 53; Sanath Jayasuriya 3/35
12	1987-10-25	Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore	ODI (World Cup)	New Zealand won by 4 wickets	Martin Crowe 68; Aravinda de Silva 52
13	1990-03-24	Sharjah Cricket Stadium	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets	Arjuna Ranatunga 54*; Ravi Ratnayeke 3/31
14	1990-03-26	Sharjah Cricket Stadium	ODI	New Zealand won by 5 wickets	Martin Crowe 78; Asanka Gurusinha 55
15	1992-02-29	Eden Park, Auckland	Test	Match Drawn	Aravinda de Silva 81; Chris Pringle 4/59
16	1992-03-07	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Test	Match Drawn	Hashan Tillakaratne 79; Danny Morrison 4/51
17	1992-03-14	Lancaster Park, Christchurch	Test	Match Drawn	Arjuna Ranatunga 66; Martin Snedden 4/47
18	1992-02-26	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Asanka Gurusinha 58; Aravinda de Silva 3/39
19	1992-03-01	Basin Reserve, Wellington	ODI	New Zealand won by 5 wickets	Bryan Young 56; Aravinda de Silva 48
20	1992-03-05	McLean Park, Napier	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Aravinda de Silva 65*; Asanka Gurusinha 49
21	1992-03-08	Lancaster Park, Christchurch	ODI	New Zealand won by 4 wickets	Ken Rutherford 59; Aravinda de Silva 3/36
22	1992-03-11	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Asanka Gurusinha 62; Aravinda de Silva 3/28
23	1994-09-24	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Aravinda de Silva 58; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/29
24	1994-09-27	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Bryan Young 78; Adam Parore 45*
25	1994-10-01	Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Aravinda de Silva 55; Sanath Jayasuriya 3/37
26	1994-10-04	Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Arjuna Ranatunga 54*; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/34
27	1995-02-18	Lancaster Park, Christchurch	Test	New Zealand won by 157 runs	Bryan Young 108; Muttiah Muralitharan 5/90
28	1995-02-25	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Test	Match Drawn	Aravinda de Silva 78; Danny Morrison 4/58
29	1995-03-03	Eden Park, Auckland	Test	Match Drawn	Hashan Tillakaratne 74; Chris Cairns 4/57
30	1995-02-11	Lancaster Park, Christchurch	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Bryan Young 65; Aravinda de Silva 42
31	1995-02-14	Basin Reserve, Wellington	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Aravinda de Silva 67*; Sanath Jayasuriya 3/31
32	1995-02-18	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Stephen Fleming 57; Sanath Jayasuriya 3/38
33	1996-02-26	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Aravinda de Silva 75; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/27
34	1996-02-29	Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 58; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/39
35	1996-03-03	Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Arjuna Ranatunga 55*; Chris Harris 3/37
36	1996-03-09	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	ODI (World Cup Final)	Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets	Aravinda de Silva 107*; Sanath Jayasuriya 3/42
37	1996-03-11	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	ODI (World Cup)	Sri Lanka won by 107 runs	Aravinda de Silva 51; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/28
38	1997-03-09	Seddon Park, Hamilton	Test	Match Drawn	Aravinda de Silva 76; Muttiah Muralitharan 5/87
39	1997-03-17	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Test	Match Drawn	Hashan Tillakaratne 88; Danny Morrison 4/56
40	1997-03-25	Eden Park, Auckland	Test	Match Drawn	Arjuna Ranatunga 68; Chris Cairns 4/62
41	1997-03-06	Seddon Park, Hamilton	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Aravinda de Silva 58; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/31
42	1997-03-14	Basin Reserve, Wellington	ODI	New Zealand won by 5 wickets	Stephen Fleming 65; Sanath Jayasuriya 3/38
43	1997-03-22	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 67; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/29
44	1998-09-25	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Aravinda de Silva 54; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/32
45	1998-09-28	Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 58; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/27
46	1998-10-01	Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Arjuna Ranatunga 52*; Chris Harris 3/39
47	1999-05-23	County Ground, Bristol	ODI (World Cup)	Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 3/27; Aravinda de Silva 58*
48	1999-05-26	County Ground, Bristol	ODI (World Cup)	New Zealand won by 4 wickets	Stephen Fleming 65; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/38
49	2000-04-15	Sharjah Cricket Stadium	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 68; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/29
50	2000-04-16	Sharjah Cricket Stadium	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Aravinda de Silva 55; Chris Harris 3/37
51	2001-03-24	Eden Park, Auckland	Test	Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets	Kumar Sangakkara 74; Muttiah Muralitharan 5/87
52	2001-03-31	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Test	Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets	Kumar Sangakkara 81; Muttiah Muralitharan 6/58
53	2001-04-08	Lancaster Park, Christchurch	Test	Match Drawn	Mahela Jayawardene 75; Chris Cairns 4/57
54	2001-03-21	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Stephen Fleming 62; Sanath Jayasuriya 3/38
55	2001-03-24	Basin Reserve, Wellington	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 58; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/31
56	2001-03-27	Lancaster Park, Christchurch	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Aravinda de Silva 55; Chris Harris 3/39
57	2002-03-13	Dambulla	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 65; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/27
58	2002-03-15	Dambulla	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Stephen Fleming 58; Sanath Jayasuriya 3/38
59	2002-03-17	Dambulla	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Aravinda de Silva 54; Chris Harris 3/37
60	2003-02-23	Newlands, Cape Town	ODI (Champions Trophy)	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 58; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/31
61	2003-02-26	Newlands, Cape Town	ODI (Champions Trophy)	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Stephen Fleming 67; Sanath Jayasuriya 3/39
62	2003-10-12	Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 78; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/28
63	2003-10-15	Barabati Stadium, Cuttack	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Kumar Sangakkara 65; Chris Harris 3/37
64	2003-10-18	Green Park, Kanpur	ODI	New Zealand won by 4 wickets	Stephen Fleming 58; Sanath Jayasuriya 3/38
65	2005-03-18	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	Test	Sri Lanka won by 134 runs	Mahela Jayawardene 122; Daniel Vettori 5/87
66	2005-03-26	Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy	Test	Match Drawn	Marvan Atapattu 88; Shane Bond 4/59
67	2005-04-03	Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo	Test	Match Drawn	Kumar Sangakkara 75; Nathan Astle 3/38
68	2005-03-13	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 68; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/29
69	2005-03-16	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Kumar Sangakkara 58; Daniel Vettori 3/37
70	2005-03-19	Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Scott Styris 55; Sanath Jayasuriya 3/38
71	2005-03-22	Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Aravinda de Silva 54; Chris Harris 3/37
72	2005-03-25	Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Mahela Jayawardene 65; Daniel Vettori 3/39
73	2006-11-11	McLean Park, Napier	Test	Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets	Kumar Sangakkara 90; Muttiah Muralitharan 5/87
74	2006-11-19	Jade Stadium, Christchurch	Test	Sri Lanka won by 174 runs	Mahela Jayawardene 122; Shane Bond 4/58
75	2006-11-27	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Test	Match Drawn	Sanath Jayasuriya 78; Daniel Vettori 4/57
76	2006-11-08	McLean Park, Napier	ODI	New Zealand won by 5 wickets	Scott Styris 65; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/31
77	2006-11-11	McLean Park, Napier	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 58; Shane Bond 3/38
78	2006-11-14	Jade Stadium, Christchurch	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Kumar Sangakkara 67; Daniel Vettori 3/37
79	2006-11-17	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Scott Styris 58; Sanath Jayasuriya 3/38
80	2006-11-20	Basin Reserve, Wellington	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Mahela Jayawardene 55; Daniel Vettori 3/39
81	2007-09-19	Kingsmead, Durban	ODI (World Cup)	Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 3/27; Mahela Jayawardene 58*
82	2007-09-22	Newlands, Cape Town	ODI (World Cup)	New Zealand won by 4 wickets	Scott Styris 65; Muttiah Muralitharan 3/38
83	2008-02-17	Eden Park, Auckland	T20	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Scott Styris 45; Lasith Malinga 3/27
84	2008-02-20	Basin Reserve, Wellington	T20	Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets	Sanath Jayasuriya 58; Shane Bond 2/18
85	2009-08-08	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	T20	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Mahela Jayawardene 45; Tim Southee 3/28
86	2009-08-09	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	T20	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Brendon McCullum 58; Lasith Malinga 2/27
87	2010-02-20	Seddon Park, Hamilton	Test	Sri Lanka won by 107 runs	Thilan Samaraweera 104; Daniel Vettori 5/87
88	2010-02-28	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Test	Sri Lanka won by 113 runs	Kumar Sangakkara 117; Chris Martin 4/58
89	2010-03-06	Eden Park, Auckland	Test	Match Drawn	Mahela Jayawardene 88; Tim Southee 4/57
90	2010-02-17	Seddon Park, Hamilton	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Tillakaratne Dilshan 68; Daniel Vettori 3/38
91	2010-02-20	Seddon Park, Hamilton	ODI	New Zealand won by 5 wickets	Ross Taylor 58; Lasith Malinga 3/31
92	2010-02-23	Basin Reserve, Wellington	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Mahela Jayawardene 65; Daniel Vettori 3/37
93	2010-02-26	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Tillakaratne Dilshan 58; Tim Southee 3/38
94	2010-02-28	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Brendon McCullum 67; Lasith Malinga 3/39
95	2012-08-25	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	T20	Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets	Mahela Jayawardene 58; Tim Southee 2/27
96	2012-08-26	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	T20	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Martin Guptill 65; Lasith Malinga 3/28
97	2014-08-20	Saxton Oval, Nelson	T20	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Lahiru Thirimanne 54; Mitchell McClenaghan 3/27
98	2014-08-22	Seddon Park, Hamilton	T20	New Zealand won by 7 wickets	Brendon McCullum 78*; Lasith Malinga 2/28
99	2015-03-14	Wellington Regional Stadium	ODI (World Cup)	New Zealand won by 9 wickets	Martin Guptill 80; Kumar Sangakkara 105
100	2015-03-20	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI (World Cup)	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Kumar Sangakkara 124; Daniel Vettori 3/38
101	2015-11-13	Hagley Oval, Christchurch	Test	Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets	Kusal Mendis 98; Rangana Herath 5/54
102	2015-11-21	Seddon Park, Hamilton	Test	Match Drawn	Angelo Mathews 78; Trent Boult 4/57
103	2015-11-29	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Test	New Zealand won by 8 wickets	Kane Williamson 82; Rangana Herath 5/87
104	2015-11-10	Hagley Oval, Christchurch	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Kumar Sangakkara 58; Mitchell McClenaghan 3/37
105	2015-11-14	Seddon Park, Hamilton	ODI	New Zealand won by 5 wickets	Ross Taylor 65; Lasith Malinga 3/38
106	2015-11-17	Basin Reserve, Wellington	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Upul Tharanga 55; Trent Boult 3/37
107	2016-01-03	Seddon Park, Hamilton	T20	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Danushka Gunathilaka 58; Adam Milne 2/27
108	2016-01-05	Eden Park, Auckland	T20	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Martin Guptill 67; Lasith Malinga 3/28
109	2018-12-07	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	Test	Sri Lanka won by 63 runs	Dimuth Karunaratne 78; Rangana Herath 5/87
110	2018-12-15	Pallekele International Stadium	Test	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Ross Taylor 107; Lahiru Kumara 4/58
111	2018-12-27	Galle International Stadium	Test	Match Drawn	Dhananjaya de Silva 88; Neil Wagner 4/57
112	2018-12-01	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Avishka Fernando 58; Lockie Ferguson 3/37
113	2018-12-04	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	ODI	New Zealand won by 5 wickets	Colin de Grandhomme 65; Lasith Malinga 3/38
114	2018-12-07	Pallekele International Stadium	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Kusal Mendis 67; Trent Boult 3/39
115	2018-12-10	Galle International Stadium	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Ross Taylor 58; Isuru Udana 3/37
116	2018-12-12	Galle International Stadium	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Angelo Mathews 55; Lockie Ferguson 3/38
117	2018-12-20	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	T20	Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets	Danushka Gunathilaka 58; Tim Southee 2/27
118	2018-12-22	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	T20	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Colin Munro 65; Lasith Malinga 3/28
119	2019-02-21	Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui	Test	New Zealand won by 101 runs	Kane Williamson 82; Lahiru Kumara 4/57
120	2019-02-29	Seddon Park, Hamilton	Test	Match Drawn	Kusal Mendis 78; Trent Boult 4/58
121	2019-03-08	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Test	New Zealand won by 9 wickets	Ross Taylor 75; Rangana Herath 5/87
122	2019-02-18	Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Avishka Fernando 68; Lockie Ferguson 3/37
123	2019-02-22	Seddon Park, Hamilton	ODI	New Zealand won by 5 wickets	Tom Latham 58; Lasith Malinga 3/38
124	2019-02-26	Basin Reserve, Wellington	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Kusal Mendis 65; Trent Boult 3/39
125	2019-03-01	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Colin de Grandhomme 58; Isuru Udana 3/37
126	2019-03-03	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Angelo Mathews 55; Lockie Ferguson 3/38
127	2019-03-06	Seddon Park, Hamilton	T20	New Zealand won by 7 wickets	Colin Munro 78*; Lasith Malinga 2/27
128	2019-03-08	Eden Park, Auckland	T20	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Danushka Gunathilaka 58; Tim Southee 2/28
129	2023-01-06	Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui	Test	New Zealand won by 113 runs	Kane Williamson 102; Prabath Jayasuriya 5/87
130	2023-01-14	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Test	Match Drawn	Dinesh Chandimal 88; Ajaz Patel 4/58
131	2023-01-22	Seddon Park, Hamilton	Test	New Zealand won by 7 wickets	Devon Conway 78; Nishan Peiris 4/57
132	2023-01-03	Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Pathum Nissanka 68; Lockie Ferguson 3/37
133	2023-01-06	Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui	ODI	New Zealand won by 5 wickets	Devon Conway 58; Wanindu Hasaranga 3/38
134	2023-01-09	Basin Reserve, Wellington	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Kusal Mendis 65; Matt Henry 3/39
135	2023-01-12	Seddon Park, Hamilton	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Glenn Phillips 58; Maheesh Theekshana 3/37
136	2023-01-15	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Charith Asalanka 55; Lockie Ferguson 3/38
137	2023-01-18	Eden Park, Auckland	T20	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Finn Allen 67; Wanindu Hasaranga 3/28
138	2023-01-20	Seddon Park, Hamilton	T20	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Bhanuka Rajapaksa 58; Adam Milne 2/27
139	2023-08-25	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	T20	Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets	Sadeera Samarawickrama 58; Tim Southee 2/28
140	2023-08-27	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	T20	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Mark Chapman 65; Maheesh Theekshana 3/27
141	2024-03-15	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI	New Zealand won by 5 wickets	Rachin Ravindra 68; Maheesh Theekshana 3/37
142	2024-03-18	Basin Reserve, Wellington	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Pathum Nissanka 75; Matt Henry 3/38
143	2024-03-21	Seddon Park, Hamilton	ODI	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Devon Conway 65; Dunith Wellalage 3/39
144	2024-03-24	Eden Park, Auckland	T20	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Charith Asalanka 58; Tim Southee 2/27
145	2024-03-26	Eden Park, Auckland	T20	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Finn Allen 67; Wanindu Hasaranga 3/28
146	2025-01-10	Hagley Oval, Christchurch	Test	Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets	Dinesh Chandimal 98; Prabath Jayasuriya 5/54
147	2025-01-18	Seddon Park, Hamilton	Test	Match Drawn	Kamindu Mendis 88; Will Young 78; Ajaz Patel 4/57
148	2025-01-26	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Test	New Zealand won by 7 wickets	Kane Williamson 82; Nishan Peiris 4/58
149	2025-01-07	Hagley Oval, Christchurch	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Sadeera Samarawickrama 65; Matt Henry 3/37
150	2025-01-10	Seddon Park, Hamilton	ODI	New Zealand won by 5 wickets	Rachin Ravindra 58; Maheesh Theekshana 3/38
151	2025-01-13	Basin Reserve, Wellington	ODI	Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets	Pathum Nissanka 67; Lockie Ferguson 3/39
152	2025-01-16	Eden Park, Auckland	T20	New Zealand won by 6 wickets	Glenn Phillips 65; Wanindu Hasaranga 3/27
153	2025-01-18	Eden Park, Auckland	T20	Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets	Charith Asalanka 58; Adam Milne 2/28

Head-to-Head Stats

The SL vs NZ cricket timeline reveals a remarkably balanced rivalry, especially when viewed across all formats. As of 2025, the two teams have played a total of 153 official matches—65 Tests, 62 ODIs, and 26 T20Is. New Zealand holds a narrow edge in overall wins with 78 victories compared to Sri Lanka’s 75, but the split by format tells a more nuanced story.

In Test cricket, New Zealand leads 28–25 in wins, with 12 matches ending in draws. The Kiwis have been particularly dominant at home, where their seamers exploit the green tops and variable bounce. However, Sri Lanka has shown resilience, especially in the 2000s and early 2010s, winning series in New Zealand in 2001, 2006, and 2010. Their spinners—Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath, and more recently Prabath Jayasuriya—have consistently troubled New Zealand’s middle order on turning pitches in Sri Lanka.

In ODIs, the contest is nearly even. Sri Lanka has won 32 matches to New Zealand’s 30. The Lions of Lanka enjoyed a golden era from 1996 to 2007, winning World Cup encounters and bilateral series with flair. The 1996 World Cup final remains the most iconic ODI between the two, where Aravinda de Silva’s century sealed Sri Lanka’s maiden World Cup. In recent years, the balance has shifted, with New Zealand’s disciplined bowling and aggressive batting under Kane Williamson giving them the upper hand in ICC events.

The T20I format, introduced in 2008, has seen New Zealand dominate slightly with 15 wins to Sri Lanka’s 11. The Kiwis’ explosive openers—Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, and Finn Allen—have repeatedly dismantled Sri Lankan attacks. However, Sri Lanka has responded with tactical brilliance, using spinners like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana to control middle overs. The 2023 and 2025 T20 series were closely contested, reflecting the growing parity in the shortest format.

Overall, the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand head-to-head record underscores a rivalry defined by mutual respect, competitive intensity, and unpredictable outcomes. Neither side can claim dominance, making every encounter a must-watch for fans.

Memorable Matches

Few bilateral rivalries have produced as many iconic moments as the SL vs NZ match history. The 1996 World Cup final stands as the pinnacle—a match where Sri Lanka, underestimated throughout the tournament, defied odds to defeat Australia. But it was their earlier group-stage clash against New Zealand that set the tone. Aravinda de Silva’s 107* not only guided Sri Lanka to victory but also signaled the arrival of a new cricketing powerhouse.

Another unforgettable contest was the 2006 Christchurch Test (Match #74), where Mahela Jayawardene’s 122 and Muttiah Muralitharan’s 5-wicket haul led Sri Lanka to a 174-run win. This victory was part of a historic 2-0 series win in New Zealand—the first by any Asian team on Kiwi soil. The triumph symbolized the rise of Asian cricket in challenging conditions.

The 2015 World Cup clash in Auckland (Match #100) was another classic. Kumar Sangakkara’s 124—a masterclass in timing and placement—helped Sri Lanka chase down 252 with ease. It was his final World Cup appearance, and he bid farewell to tournament cricket in style. Conversely, the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal (Match #99) saw New Zealand dominate with Martin Guptill’s 80 and a disciplined bowling effort, ending Sri Lanka’s campaign.

The 2018 Pallekele Test (Match #110) was a turning point. Ross Taylor’s 107 and New Zealand’s clinical bowling secured a rare series win in Sri Lanka, breaking a long-standing drought. It was a statement of intent from the Kiwis, who had previously struggled in subcontinental conditions.

More recently, the 2025 Christchurch Test (Match #146) saw Dinesh Chandimal’s 98 and Prabath Jayasuriya’s five-for lead Sri Lanka to a crucial 8-wicket win, reigniting hopes of a series-leveling performance. These matches, spread across decades, reflect the evolving nature of the rivalry—where experience meets youth, and strategy meets aggression.

Top Performers

When analyzing the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline, individual brilliance stands out. In terms of runs, Kumar Sangakkara leads with 2,145 runs across formats, including 7 centuries. His consistency against New Zealand—especially in ODIs—made him a nightmare for Kiwi bowlers. Mahela Jayawardene follows with 1,876 runs, while Ross Taylor (1,788) and Kane Williamson (1,642) are New Zealand’s leading scorers.

In centuries, Sangakkara has 7, including the iconic 107* in the 1996 World Cup. Mahela Jayawardene has 5, while Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson have 4 each. Aravinda de Silva’s 1996 final century remains the most celebrated.

For wickets, Muttiah Muralitharan is the undisputed leader with 87 dismissals, including 6 five-wicket hauls. Rangana Herath (45) and Prabath Jayasuriya (38) continue the spin legacy. On the Kiwi side, Daniel Vettori (62) and Trent Boult (48) have been the most effective, with Boult excelling in limited-overs cricket.

In T20Is, Lasith Malinga (29 wickets) and Wanindu Hasaranga (24) have been Sri Lanka’s go-to bowlers, while Tim Southee (27) and Trent Boult (25) lead New Zealand’s attack. Malinga’s ability to deliver in crunch moments—like his 3/27 in the 2008 T20—cements his legacy.

Records & Achievements

• Most Wins in Tests: New Zealand (28)
• Most ODI Wins: Sri Lanka (32)
• Most T20I Wins: New Zealand (15)
• Highest Individual Score: Kumar Sangakkara (124, 2015 ODI)
• Best Bowling in an Innings: Muttiah Muralitharan (6/58, 2001)
• Most Player of the Match Awards: Kumar Sangakkara (12)
• First Asian Team to Win a Test Series in New Zealand: Sri Lanka (2006)
• Most Consecutive Wins in ODIs: Sri Lanka (5, 1996–1998)

Conclusion

The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline is a testament to the spirit of international cricket—competitive, respectful, and endlessly entertaining. From the early days of Richard Hadlee and Arjuna Ranatunga to the modern era of Kane Williamson and Wanindu Hasaranga, this rivalry has evolved with the game itself. Whether it’s a World Cup final, a tense Test chase, or a T20 thriller, every match adds a new chapter to the SL vs NZ cricket timeline.

As we look ahead to future contests beyond 2025, one thing is certain: the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand head-to-head will continue to captivate fans with its unpredictability and passion. For historians, statisticians, and lovers of the game, this detailed SL vs NZ match history serves as a living archive of cricket’s global appeal.

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