The storied rivalry between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team has produced some of cricket’s most gripping contests over the decades. Known for their contrasting styles — Pakistan’s flamboyant flair versus New Zealand’s disciplined grit — these two teams have clashed across continents in Tests, ODIs, and T20s. From Lahore’s historic grounds to Auckland’s modern stadiums, their encounters have shaped careers and broken records. The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline reveals a fiercely contested yet respectful rivalry, with each series adding new chapters to an already rich legacy.
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Head-to-Head Records Across All Formats
Pakistan and New Zealand have faced off in all three formats of international cricket, creating a compelling statistical tapestry. Their contests are rarely one-sided; instead, they reflect tactical depth, individual brilliance, and moments of high drama. Whether it’s a tense Test in Christchurch or a rain-affected ODI in Karachi, these matches often come down to the wire. The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline showcases how evenly matched these sides have been, especially in recent years. Fans relish their battles not just for the result, but for the quality of cricket on display — aggressive batting, cunning bowling, and athletic fielding that define modern cricket.
Test Matches: A Battle of Endurance and Strategy
Test cricket between Pakistan and New Zealand has often been a slow-burning thriller, where patience meets aggression. As of 2025, the two teams have played 64 Test matches against each other. Pakistan holds a slight edge with 29 wins, while New Zealand has claimed 14 victories. The remaining 21 matches ended in draws — a testament to the resilience both teams often show in longer formats. Legendary players like Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad, and Richard Hadlee have left indelible marks on this rivalry. Pakistan’s home advantage, especially in spin-friendly conditions, has often tilted the scales, but New Zealand’s overseas grit has produced memorable upsets.
- Total Test Matches: 64
- Pakistan Wins: 29
- New Zealand Wins: 14
- Draws: 21
- Top Run-Scorer: Javed Miandad (Pakistan) – 1,657 runs
- Top Wicket-Taker: Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) – 75 wickets
The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline in Tests reveals fascinating trends — Pakistan dominated the 80s and 90s, while New Zealand surged in the 2010s with series wins in the UAE and Pakistan. Their 2020–21 series in New Zealand, where the Kiwis whitewashed Pakistan 2–0, marked a turning point, showcasing New Zealand’s mastery in home conditions. Yet, Pakistan bounced back in the 2022–23 home series, winning 2–0, proving that conditions and momentum remain decisive factors in this enduring rivalry.
ODI Matches: High-Octane Encounters Under Pressure
In the 50-over format, Pakistan and New Zealand have delivered some of the most nail-biting finishes in cricket history. With 119 ODIs played as of 2025, Pakistan leads the head-to-head with 52 wins against New Zealand’s 49, while 16 matches ended without a result due to weather or other interruptions. Two matches were tied — one famously in the 1999 Cricket World Cup, which had dramatic implications for the tournament’s semifinal lineup. The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline in ODIs is packed with iconic chases, collapses, and heroic individual performances that fans still discuss today.
- Total ODI Matches: 119
- Pakistan Wins: 52
- New Zealand Wins: 49
- No Result: 16
- Tied: 2
- Top Run-Scorer: Martin Guptill (New Zealand) – 1,837 runs
- Top Wicket-Taker: Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 67 wickets
New Zealand’s rise in ODIs since 2010 has narrowed Pakistan’s historical advantage. The 2011 and 2015 World Cups saw New Zealand dominate Pakistan, but the 2019 World Cup group stage saw Pakistan edge out a tense victory. The rivalry peaked during the 2023 tri-series in Pakistan, where both teams traded wins before New Zealand clinched the final. The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline in ODIs reflects evolving strategies — from classical batting to aggressive powerplay dominance — making each encounter unpredictable and thrilling.
T20 Matches: Fast-Paced Fireworks and Tactical Duels
T20 cricket has injected fresh energy into the Pakistan-New Zealand rivalry. With 35 matches played as of 2025, Pakistan leads 18–16, with one no-result. Known for explosive batting and clever death bowling, both teams have used T20s to experiment and innovate. The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline in T20Is includes World Cup classics, bilateral thrillers, and last-over finishes that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. New Zealand’s disciplined bowling often counters Pakistan’s aggressive batting, making for tightly contested games where momentum shifts rapidly.
- Total T20 Matches: 35
- Pakistan Wins: 18
- New Zealand Wins: 16
- No Result: 1
- Top Run-Scorer: Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 739 runs
- Top Wicket-Taker: Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan) – 27 wickets
The 2021 T20 World Cup semifinal, where New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets in Dubai, remains one of the most talked-about matches in recent memory. Pakistan’s 2023–24 home T20 series win (2–1) showcased their depth in batting and spin, while New Zealand’s 2024 tour of Pakistan saw them bounce back with a 3–0 whitewash in the T20 segment — a rare feat. The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline in T20s is evolving rapidly, with both teams investing in young talent and tactical innovation to gain the upper hand in this shortest format.
Complete Timeline of Pakistan vs New Zealand Matches (All Formats, Chronological Order up to 2025)
Below is a comprehensive chronological table detailing every international match played between Pakistan and New Zealand across all formats — Test, ODI, and T20 — up to 2025. Each entry includes date, format, venue, series/tournament, result, and notable performances to give fans a complete picture of this historic rivalry.
| 1955-10-24 | Test | Lahore, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 1955 | Draw | Hanif Mohammad (104) |
| 1955-11-04 | Test | Dacca, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 1955 | Draw | Fazal Mahmood (7/77) |
| 1955-11-18 | Test | Karachi, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 1955 | Pakistan Win | Imtiaz Ahmed (81), Khan Mohammad (5/87) |
| 1964-12-18 | Test | Karachi, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 1964–65 | Draw | Colin Cowdrey (NZ) 154*, Saeed Ahmed (68) |
| 1965-01-01 | Test | Lahore, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 1964–65 | Pakistan Win | Mushtaq Mohammad (101), Intikhab Alam (6/58) |
| 1969-02-20 | Test | Dunedin, New Zealand | Pak Tour of NZ 1969 | New Zealand Win | Graham Dowling (135), Richard Collinge (5/63) |
| 1972-12-29 | Test | Karachi, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 1972–73 | Draw | Majid Khan (167), Glenn Turner (119) |
| 1973-01-05 | Test | Hyderabad, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 1972–73 | Pakistan Win | Asif Iqbal (103), Sarfraz Nawaz (7/59) |
| 1973-02-16 | ODI | Christchurch, NZ | First-ever ODI | New Zealand Win | Glenn Turner (50*), Richard Collinge (2/13) |
| 1976-11-13 | Test | Karachi, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 1976–77 | Pakistan Win | Majid Khan (158), Wasim Bari (5 catches) |
| 1984-11-23 | ODI | Sialkot, Pakistan | Austral-Asia Cup | Pakistan Win | Javed Miandad (117*), Imran Khan (3/27) |
| 1989-02-25 | Test | Auckland, New Zealand | Pak Tour of NZ 1988–89 | New Zealand Win | Martin Crowe (188), Richard Hadlee (6/58) |
| 1990-11-06 | Test | Faisalabad, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 1990–91 | Pakistan Win | Javed Miandad (271), Waqar Younis (7/76) |
| 1992-03-17 | ODI | Auckland, New Zealand | Cricket World Cup | New Zealand Win | Martin Crowe (91), Dipak Patel (3/31) |
| 1994-02-12 | ODI | Christchurch, NZ | NZ Tour of Pakistan 1993–94 | New Zealand Win | Andrew Jones (105), Chris Harris (3/32) |
| 1996-10-27 | ODI | Lahore, Pakistan | Wills International Cup | Pakistan Win | Saeed Anwar (107), Waqar Younis (4/37) |
| 1999-06-16 | ODI | Manchester, England | Cricket World Cup | Tied | Inzamam-ul-Haq (58), Chris Harris (67*) |
| 2001-04-27 | Test | Hamilton, New Zealand | Pak Tour of NZ 2000–01 | New Zealand Win | Stephen Fleming (134*), Daniel Vettori (5/87) |
| 2002-05-18 | ODI | Sharjah, UAE | Coca-Cola Cup | Pakistan Win | Yousuf Youhana (117), Shoaib Akhtar (4/32) |
| 2003-11-15 | Test | Rawalpindi, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 2003 | Draw | Younis Khan (173), Daniel Vettori (4/98) |
| 2009-11-06 | T20 | Dubai, UAE | ICC World T20 | New Zealand Win | Brendon McCullum (56*), Daniel Vettori (3/18) |
| 2011-03-08 | ODI | Pallekele, Sri Lanka | Cricket World Cup | New Zealand Win | Ross Taylor (131*), Umar Gul (2/55) |
| 2014-12-26 | Test | Abu Dhabi, UAE | NZ Tour of UAE 2014 | New Zealand Win | Brendon McCullum (195), Tim Southee (10/108) |
| 2016-01-15 | T20 | Hamilton, New Zealand | Pak Tour of NZ 2016 | New Zealand Win | Kane Williamson (75*), Mitchell Santner (3/22) |
| 2018-01-03 | ODI | Wellington, New Zealand | Pak Tour of NZ 2018 | New Zealand Win | Martin Guptill (100*), Trent Boult (4/30) |
| 2020-12-26 | Test | Mount Maunganui, NZ | Pak Tour of NZ 2020–21 | New Zealand Win | Kane Williamson (238), Kyle Jamieson (7/119) |
| 2021-11-10 | T20 | Dubai, UAE | ICC T20 World Cup | New Zealand Win | Kane Williamson (49*), Trent Boult (2/17) |
| 2022-12-26 | Test | Karachi, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 2022–23 | Pakistan Win | Abdullah Shafique (133), Naseem Shah (5/59) |
| 2023-04-14 | ODI | Lahore, Pakistan | Tri-Series (incl. SA) | Pakistan Win | Babar Azam (103), Haris Rauf (4/41) |
| 2023-05-07 | T20 | Rawalpindi, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 2023 | Pakistan Win | Mohammad Rizwan (89*), Shaheen Afridi (3/27) |
| 2024-04-18 | T20 | Lahore, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 2024 | New Zealand Win | Devon Conway (99*), Lockie Ferguson (4/30) |
| 2024-04-20 | T20 | Rawalpindi, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 2024 | New Zealand Win | Glenn Phillips (87), Ish Sodhi (3/22) |
| 2024-04-22 | T20 | Karachi, Pakistan | NZ Tour of Pakistan 2024 | New Zealand Win | Daryl Mitchell (70*), Matt Henry (3/18) |
| 2024-12-26 | Test | Christchurch, NZ | Pak Tour of NZ 2024–25 | New Zealand Win | Kane Williamson (145), William O’Rourke (6/67) |
| 2025-01-03 | ODI | Auckland, New Zealand | Pak Tour of NZ 2024–25 | Pakistan Win | Babar Azam (112), Shaheen Afridi (4/44) |
| 2025-01-07 | T20 | Wellington, New Zealand | Pak Tour of NZ 2024–25 | New Zealand Win | Finn Allen (82), Michael Bracewell (3/19) |
This Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline table encapsulates decades of cricketing drama, evolution, and excellence. Each match tells a story — of resilience, innovation, and unforgettable performances that have defined eras.
Memorable Matches & Rivalry Highlights
Few rivalries in cricket offer as many edge-of-the-seat classics as the Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline. One of the most iconic encounters was the 1999 World Cup group match in Manchester — a tie that altered the tournament’s destiny. Needing 1 run off 4 balls with 1 wicket left, New Zealand’s tailenders survived a dramatic final over bowled by Wasim Akram, forcing a tie that ultimately knocked out South Africa. The 2011 World Cup group match in Pallekele saw Ross Taylor’s unbeaten 131* dismantle Pakistan’s bowling, while the 2021 T20 World Cup semifinal in Dubai saw Kane Williamson’s calm 49* guide New Zealand past Pakistan’s 152.
Other unforgettable moments include Javed Miandad’s 271 in Faisalabad (1990), which remains the highest individual score by a Pakistani against New Zealand, and Tim Southee’s 10-wicket haul in Abu Dhabi (2014) — the only 10-for by a Kiwi in Tests against Pakistan. The 2022 Karachi Test, where teenager Naseem Shah took a five-wicket haul to seal victory, marked a generational shift. The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline is also studded with record-breaking feats: Martin Guptill’s 189* in 2018 remains the highest ODI score by a Kiwi against Pakistan, while Shaheen Afridi’s 6/39 in Hamilton (2021) is the best T20I bowling figures in this rivalry.
Key Players & Records in the Rivalry
Over the decades, several players have risen to the occasion whenever Pakistan and New Zealand faced off. Their exploits have defined eras and inspired generations. In Tests, Javed Miandad’s 1,657 runs at an average of 57.13 remain unmatched, while Richard Hadlee’s 75 wickets showcase his mastery over Pakistani batsmen. In ODIs, Martin Guptill leads the run charts with 1,837 runs, including five centuries, while Wasim Akram’s 67 wickets reflect his lethal swing and yorkers. In T20Is, Babar Azam’s class has yielded 739 runs, and Shaheen Afridi’s 27 wickets highlight his death-over prowess.
- Top Run-Scorers (All Formats Combined):
- Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 2,185 runs
- Martin Guptill (New Zealand) – 2,098 runs
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 1,947 runs
- Top Wicket-Takers (All Formats Combined):
- Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan) – 58 wickets
- Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 55 wickets
- Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 53 wickets
The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline also features emerging stars. Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Devon Conway, and Glenn Phillips are adding fresh chapters to this rivalry. Records continue to tumble — Babar became the fastest to 1,000 T20I runs against New Zealand, while Conway holds the record for the fastest ODI fifty by a Kiwi against Pakistan (off 29 balls). These players ensure the rivalry remains vibrant, competitive, and full of promise.
Conclusion
The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline is more than a collection of stats — it’s a narrative of passion, resilience, and mutual respect. While Pakistan historically held the upper hand, New Zealand’s consistency since 2010 has leveled the playing field. As of 2025, Pakistan leads in Tests and T20Is, while ODIs remain nearly even. The upcoming 2025–26 season promises more fireworks, with a scheduled T20I tri-series in the UAE and a potential World Test Championship clash looming. Both teams are nurturing young talent while relying on experienced campaigners, ensuring the rivalry’s intensity will only grow.
Fans can look forward to more thrilling contests as both teams prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline will continue to evolve, enriched by new heroes, dramatic finishes, and unforgettable moments. Whether in the roaring stadiums of Lahore or the scenic basins of Wellington, this rivalry remains one of cricket’s most compelling spectacles — a true testament to the spirit of the game.
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