New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline

The relationship between the New Zealand and Pakistan cricket teams is approximately 70 years old. The two teams first faced each other in 1955 in Karachi, and since then, their rivalry has been worth watching in every format, be it Test matches or ODIs, or T20s. It has happened many times that in the Test series, both the teams have competed very closely with each other, whereas in ODIs, Pakistan’s record has been much better than the New Zealand team like in the T20 World Cup which was held in 2021, Pakistan had defeated New Zealand in that match too.

In the World Cup tournament, the competition between the two teams was also considered a very high-pressure encounter. The semi-final of the World Cup in 1992 was its classic example, where Pakistan defeated New Zealand in their place. 

Matches between Pakistan and New Zealand teams are always interesting, like sometimes there is a close finish, sometimes there are unexpected ups and downs, or the performance that changes the career of the players completely.

New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline:

Early Encounters (1955–2025)

The early encounters between the New Zealand and Pakistan cricket team started in the 1900s. Let’s talk about it in detail:  

1) In 1955

New Zealand made their first tour of Pakistan during the October-November season of 1955, which included 3 Test matches between the two countries. The first of which was played in Karachi from 13 to 17 October, where Pakistan registered their Test victory by winning by an innings and one run. The second match between the two teams was also played between 26 and 31 October, that too in Lahore, in which Pakistan won by 4 wickets. The third match, which was the last, was played between 7 and 12 November at Dacca, and its result was that Pakistan won the series by 2-0  and achieved its first Test series win in cricket history.

2) In 1965

In reality, in 1965, Pakistan did a tour of New Zealand in which they played three test matches of which all the matches were drawn by 0-0. Test matches were played in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, and this series was challenging for Pakistan. Because New Zealand’s pitch and weather conditions were not suitable for Pakistan and no decision or result was achieved in this tour.

3) 1972–73

Pakistan visited New Zealand to play a test series and won the series 1-0. This was the very first match won by Pakistan outside their homeland. 

Merging Period from 1975s–2000s

1975 to 2000 was the intense rivalry period for both the teams. HEre are the major matches played during this era: 

1) 1975 World Cup

Pakistan and New Zealand Played their first ICC world cup match against each other on 11th 

June 1975. New zealand won the match by 4 wickets. 

2) In 1985–86

In season 1985 -1986, Pakistan once again visited New Zealand for a 4 match ODI series. The series was won by pakistan by 3-0 and 1 match got abandoned because of heavy rain. 

The first ODI of this series was played on 16th march 1985  in Dunedin and the final was played on 23r march 1985 in Auckland, where Pakistan got the victory by 7 wickets. 

3) In 1992 World Cup Semi-Final

During this year, the World Cup semi-final match was played between New Zealand and Pakistan. Pakistan won this match by four wickets and qualified for its first World Cup final, and this proved Pakistan’s never give up attitude.

4) In 1994:

Pakistan visited New Zealand and played a 5-ODI series, in which they performed brilliantly. The first match was played on 3rd March and Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets. The second ODI was played on 6th March, in which Pakistan won by 36 runs; and the third match was played on 9th March, in which Pakistan won by 11 runs. The ODI was played on 13th March, ended in a tie; and the fifth match, the last match, was played on 16th March, in which New Zealand won by 7 wickets. Pakistan could not show its performance there, and this series was very important for Pakistan.

5) 1999 World Cup

During this year, an important group match was held on 28^th May, in which Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 29 runs on the ground of Derby County. In this, Pakistan batted first and gave a target of 271 runs, and to achieve this target, the New Zealand team only achieved 242/10 in 47.1 overs and lost the match.

Changing Era (2000s- 2010s)

The rivalry between the New Zealand and Pakistan cricket team took a new turn. Lets know the details: 

1) 2000:  Final of the ICC Champions Trophy

This match was played on 11 October 2000 in Nairobi, Kenya between both teams, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 4 wickets and won the first ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan scored 252/9 in 50 overs. New Zealand won the title for the first time in their ICC Champions Trophy history.

2) 2007: ICC World Twenty20 Super Eights :

In this, Pakistan defeated New Zealand by six wickets in Johannesburg on 22nd September 2007. New Zealand scored 143/8 runs, in which most of the innings were played by their players as the win, but on the other hand, Pakistan had to score 144 runs to achieve the target, and won the match. This victory gave Pakistan a chance to move ahead in the Super Eights stage and qualify for semi finals.  

3) In 2010:

Pakistan toured New Zealand in 2010. 5 matches were played in the ODI series, and by 3-2, Pakistan won. Perhaps Afridi and other players had a very good performance, and New Zealand fought against Umar Gul’s bowling in the match which made them unsuccessful. This series was very important for Pakistan, and they had a positive start by winning it, but they won the series after some close matches.

4) 2010: T20 series

When Pakistan toured in December 2010 to January 2011 for 3- match T20 series. The series was won by New Zealand 2-1.  The first T20I of this series was played on 26th December 2010 at Eden park, Auckland, where Pakistan won the match by 5 wickets. In the second match, New Ealand won by 17 runs on 28th December 2010 at Seddon park, Hamilton. In the last match. Played on 30th December 2010, New Zealand again won by 5 wickets. 

Modern Rivalry (2011s-2025)

The modern rivalry between New Zealand and Pakistan has seen a sudden shift. Both the teams have started playing better than ever with the new talents. 

1) 2016: ICC World T20 Group Stage

In the 2016 ICC world T20 between Pakistan and New Zealand on 22n March 2016 at Mohali, New Zealand chose to bat first and secured 180/5 in 20 overs. Pakistan scored 158/5 in 20 overs and Pakistan lost the game by 22 runs. The amazing fielding and bowling by the New Zealand team lead their way to victory.

2) 2021: ICC T20 World Cup Group Stage

Pakistan defeated New Zealand by five wickets, and started their winning journey from there. New Zealand batted first, scoring 134 runs. Pakistan also took very important wickets, and this win became very important for them as they finished on top of the group stage.

3) 2023: Pakistan vs New Zealand

Rain had started during which Pakistan scored 200/1 runs in 23.5 overs, New Zealand had given them a target of 402 runs. So, keeping them ahead, the required rate of Pakistan was made according to DLF calculations. The win was a test of Pakistan’s resilience and how they perform under pressure.

4) 2025: Pakistan tour of New Zealand, 3 ODIs , 5 T20s . Mar 16 – Apr 05 – Full Schedule & Match Results

T20I Series: New Zealand won the series 4-1.

ODI Series: New Zealand won the series 3-0

Pakistan vs New Zealand Overall head-to-head records from 1955 to 2025

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can only write that the rivalry between Pakistan and New Zealand is a very unique mix in which intensity and unpredictability are seen in every match. Exciting encounters are always seen between the two teams. There are always exciting encounters to be seen, whether it is the World Cup, ICC T20 World Cup or any series, in this we get a chance to see the aggressive style of Pakistan and the disciplined approach of New Zealand, this is a great opportunity for the fans to capture great moments. In this competition, different twists and turns up and down are seen in the influence of both these teams and increases the charm even more.

FAQs

Read More Scorecards