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The timeline of the Pakistan national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team spans over seven decades of international cricket. They met for the first time in the Test arena in 1955 starting a rivalry which has gone through Test matches, One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals. The history between Pakistan and New Zealand is filled with memorable series, World Cup encounters, close finishes and brilliant individual performances. Pakistan have led the overall Test and T20I head-to-head records, while their ODI rivalry has been much closer. The teams had played 62 Tests, 122 ODIs and 50 T20Is by 2026. Pakistan had won 25 Tests to New Zealand’s 14, and Pakistan also had a narrow edge in ODIs, 61 to 57. In T20Is, Pakistan hold a 24-23 lead with three matches having no result. The rivalry has continued in recent years with New Zealand touring in 2025 and meeting in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Beginning Of The Rivalry From 1955
The first Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand was played in 1955 during New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan. In the early years of the rivalry, limited-overs international cricket had not yet been introduced into the international schedule so longer-format cricket was the norm. Gradually Pakistan developed a good record against New Zealand in Tests, winning a number of important series and producing some outstanding performances with bat and ball.
The rivalry was vastly increased with the introduction of One Day International cricket. Pakistan and New Zealand became regular opponents in bilateral series and major international competitions. Their matches often showcased contrasting styles of cricket, with Pakistan producing talented fast bowlers and attacking batsmen, while New Zealand developed a reputation for disciplined team performances and strong all-round cricket.
| Period | Major Development |
|---|---|
| 1955 | First Test meetings between Pakistan and New Zealand |
| 1970s | ODI cricket begins adding a new dimension |
| 1980s | Regular bilateral and tournament meetings |
| 1990s | World Cup encounters become increasingly important |
| 2000s | T20 cricket introduces another format |
| 2010s | Regular Test, ODI and T20I series |
| 2020s | Frequent bilateral tours and major tournament meetings |
Pakistan Vs New Zealand Test Timeline
There is still a lot of Test cricket left in the rivalry between Pakistan and New Zealand. The head-to-head record currently stands at 62 Tests played between the sides. Pakistan have won 25, New Zealand 14 and 23 matches have been drawn. That gives Pakistan a substantial historical advantage in the longest format.
New Zealand’s most recent Test meetings were on tours of Pakistan in 2022 and 2023. New Zealand reached 612 for 9 declared and Pakistan responded with 438 before declaring their second innings at 311 for 8 in the drawn first Test in Karachi in December 2022. The second Test at Karachi also was drawn. ” New Zealand won both Tests on their 2020 to 2021 tour, winning the first Test by 101 runs and the second by an innings and 176 runs.
| Test Timeline | Result |
|---|---|
| 1955 | First Test series between the teams |
| 2018 | Pakistan won the second Test by an innings and 16 runs |
| 2020 | New Zealand won by 101 runs |
| 2021 | New Zealand won by an innings and 176 runs |
| 2022 | First Karachi Test ended in a draw |
| 2023 | Second Karachi Test ended in a draw |
The Test record demonstrates that the rivalry has produced periods of dominance from both sides. Pakistan’s stronger overall win record has been balanced by several successful New Zealand tours.
Pakistan Vs New Zealand ODI Timeline
The ODI rivalry has become one of the most played contests between the two countries. Pakistan and New Zealand have played 122 ODIs with Pakistan winning 61 and New Zealand 57. Three have ended without a result and one has been a tie.
They have ODI history including important World Cup games and bilateral series. The teams have often clashed in the ICC major tournaments where the individual performances and pressure situations have added importance to their clashes.
The 2025 ODI series in New Zealand was very important in the recent past. New Zealand won all three games. They won the first ODI at Napier by 73 runs, the second at Hamilton by 84 runs and the third at Mount Maunganui by 43 runs.
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 29 March 2025 | 1st ODI, Napier | New Zealand won by 73 runs |
| 2 April 2025 | 2nd ODI, Hamilton | New Zealand won by 84 runs |
| 5 April 2025 | 3rd ODI, Mount Maunganui | New Zealand won by 43 runs |
The 2025 series therefore represented a clean sweep for New Zealand, adding another important chapter to the long ODI history between the teams.
Pakistan Vs New Zealand T20I Timeline
The T20I rivalry has become one of the most played rivalries in international cricket. Pakistan and New Zealand have faced each other in 50 T20Is, with Pakistan winning 24 and New Zealand winning 23. Three used matches.
In the 2025 five-match T20I series in New Zealand, there were four New Zealand victories and one Pakistan victory. New Zealand won the first match in Christchurch by nine wickets and the second match in Dunedin by five wickets. Pakistan fought back to win by nine wickets in Auckland. New Zealand won the fourth match by 115 runs and the fifth by eight wickets.
| Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 16 March 2025 | Christchurch | New Zealand won by 9 wickets |
| 18 March 2025 | Dunedin | New Zealand won by 5 wickets |
| 21 March 2025 | Auckland | Pakistan won by 9 wickets |
| 23 March 2025 | Mount Maunganui | New Zealand won by 115 runs |
| 26 March 2025 | Wellington | New Zealand won by 8 wickets |
The rivalry continued at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Pakistan and New Zealand were scheduled to meet in the Super Eight stage on 21 February 2026, although that match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Major Matches And Memorable Periods
Pakistan and New Zealand have faced each other many times in important international tournaments including World Cups. Their meetings have often been marked by contrasting approaches to the game in the shorter formats. Historically, Pakistan have produced match-winning fast bowlers and aggressive batters, whereas New Zealand have often gone in with balanced squads and disciplined execution.
The 2025 T20I series is one of the most glaring ways in which momentum can shift so rapidly between these teams. New Zealand won four games with Pakistan registering a nine-wicket win in Auckland. The fourth match was a one-sided affair with New Zealand scoring 220 for 6 and holding Pakistan to 105.
Another crucial period was during New Zealand’s 2020-21 Test tour. New Zealand won both Tests, the second in Christchurch by an innings and 176 runs. The result showed New Zealand’s ability to outplay Pakistan in five days, but Pakistan’s record over the course of Test cricket was better historically.
Overall Head To Head Statistics
The following is a complete chronological list of matches played by the Pakistan national cricket team against the New Zealand national cricket team in full format, by format. Pakistan lead in both Tests and T20Is but have only a narrow lead in ODIs.
| Format | Matches | Pakistan Wins | New Zealand Wins | Drawn | No Result | Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 62 | 25 | 14 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 122 | 61 | 57 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| T20Is | 50 | 24 | 23 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
These figures show how closely matched the teams have been in limited-overs cricket. The ODI difference is only four victories, while the T20I difference is only one. Test cricket provides the largest statistical gap, with Pakistan holding an 11-win advantage.
Recent Timeline And Future Rivalry
The recent timeline shows Pakistan and New Zealand still face each other regularly at international level. In March and April 2025 New Zealand hosted Pakistan for five T20Is followed by three ODIs. New Zealand won the T20I series 4-1 and ODI series 3-0.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was the next major meeting for them in the 2026 calendar. Now there is another no-result in their T20I head-to-head record, after their scheduled Super Eight encounter on February 21 was called off without a ball being bowled.
Pakistan and New Zealand have a long history between them and the timeline will continue to add new chapters regarding future bilateral tours and ICC tournaments. The close records of their ODIs and T20Is make every further meeting relevant to the overall statistical picture.
Conclusion
The history of the Pakistan national cricket team and New Zealand national cricket team stretches back to their first Test matches in 1955 through to their recent T20 World Cup clashes. Pakistan have won 25 of their 62 Tests against New Zealand, who have won 14, with 23 drawn. Pakistan lead 61-57 in 122 ODIs with three no-results and one tie. Their T20I record is even more evenly poised with Pakistan leading 24-23 from 50 matches. Recent years have seen important series added, including New Zealand’s 4-1 T20I and 3-0 ODI wins in 2025.
FAQs
1. When did Pakistan and New Zealand first play international cricket?
Pakistan and New Zealand first met in Test cricket in 1955. Their rivalry subsequently expanded into ODI and T20I cricket as those formats became established internationally.
2. How many Tests have Pakistan and New Zealand played?
Pakistan and New Zealand have played 62 Test matches. Pakistan have won 25, New Zealand have won 14 and 23 have ended in draws.
3. How many ODIs have Pakistan and New Zealand played?
The two teams have played 122 ODIs. Pakistan have won 61, New Zealand have won 57, three have ended without a result and one has been tied.
4. Who won the 2025 Pakistan versus New Zealand T20I series?
New Zealand won the five-match T20I series in 2025 by a 4-1 margin. Pakistan’s only victory came in the third match in Auckland, where they won by nine wickets.
5. What happened when Pakistan and New Zealand met at the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Pakistan and New Zealand were scheduled to play a Super Eight match on 21 February 2026. The match was abandoned without a ball being bowled, so neither team received a victory from that fixture.
