New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline: A look at one of the most decorated head-to-heads in more than 70 years of international cricket Their tussles were first seen in Test cricket in 1966, and have grown ever since through Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
In fact, Pakistan was on top more often for a large part – especially in Test cricket. In contrast, New Zealand have transformed into a formidable opponent in both formats of limited-overs cricket. Their contests in last few years have brought out nail-biters, one-sided wins, crucial ICC tournament moments and stunning individual brilliance. Here are the highlights of the New Zealand national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team Timeline, their very first encounter, Test history, ODI rivalry, T20I clashes and other memorable matches in recent years.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline: Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
| First Test meeting | October 1955 |
| First Test venue | Karachi, Pakistan |
| First Test winner | Pakistan |
| Main formats | Test, ODI and T20I |
| First T20I meeting | 2007 |
| Recent major encounter | 2026 T20 World Cup |
| Major recent ODI result | New Zealand won 3-0 in 2025 |
| Rivalry status | One of the most frequently played cross-format matchups |
The first Test between the teams took place in Karachi in October 1955. Pakistan won that match by an innings and one run, beginning a rivalry that has continued through several generations of players.
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The Beginning of the Rivalry: 1955
The head-to-head record between the New Zealand National Cricket Team and Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline started in 1955-56, when Pakistan toured to New Zealand for a three-Test series.
The first Test was in the National Stadium, Karachi and took place from 13 to 17 October 1955. The Kiwis bowled first and were all out for 164. Pakistan responded with 289 and bowled out New Zealand a second time for just 278, in turn sealing the match by an innings and one run.
Pakistan also clinched the second Test at Lahore by 4 wickets. The third Test, at Dacca, was drawn providing Pakistan with victory in the first three-match series 2-0. The early series made Pakistan the flag bearer of this new rivalry.
New Zealand vs Pakistan Test Cricket Timeline
Normally, this rivalry had been considered a big part of Test cricket history. Pakistan had the upper hand on New Zealand in the early decades of both countries, but over time New Zealand found greater success.
The teams have played a total of 62 Test matches, with Pakistan winning 25 and New Zealand claiming victory in 14. The other matches had been draws or otherwise went the way of the winless.
One area of note has been in the 1980s when New Zealand started getting better results. New Zealand introduced legendary players like Richard Hadlee which paved the way to compete better against Pakistan.
The rivalry often continued through the 90s and in to the modern day, but Pakistan enjoyed a fairly historical level in this series.
Important Test Moments
- 1955: Pakistan won the first Test by an innings and one run.
- 1955: Pakistan won the opening series 2-0.
- 1985: New Zealand recorded a significant Test series success.
- 2014: New Zealand produced a huge 690 in a Test against Pakistan in Sharjah.
- 2018: The teams met in a three-Test series in the UAE.
- 2020-21: New Zealand won both Tests during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand.
- 2022-23: The two-Test series in Pakistan ended with both matches drawn.
The modern Test rivalry has therefore become much more competitive than the early years.
New Zealand vs Pakistan ODI Timeline
The ODI rivalry is far tighter even. New Zealand and Pakistan have faced each other in 122 ODIs (as of August 2026). New Zealand 57, Pakistan 61 (4 no result) This close margin decidesthe intrigue of the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline in 50-over format.
Both have sides came out on top at times. A lot of wins came through Pakistan’s powerful batting and bowling units while New Zealand’s relentless cricket, excellent home conditions have made them a difficult proposition.
Key ODI Events
One of the most memorable chapters came in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, when Pakistan eventually went on to win the tournament. New Zealand and Pakistan have also met several times in major ICC competitions and tournament matches.
The 2025 ODI series was particularly important. New Zealand defeated Pakistan in all three matches, winning the series 3-0. The victories came by 73 runs in Napier, 84 runs in Hamilton and 43 runs at Mount Maunganui. That series highlighted New Zealand’s strong ODI form against Pakistan.
New Zealand vs Pakistan T20I Timeline
The T20I rivalry started in 2007 and has evolved into one of the most frequently seen T20I rivalries. Both teams have faced each other in a total of 50 T20Is, wherein Pakistan has won in 24 instances while New Zealand on 23 occasions. And there have been three no-results.
The two had clashed for the first time in a T20I match earlier, at the start of the inaugural World Twenty20 era: Pakistan prevailed that day. However, New Zealand became a more formidable opponent over time, especially in home matches.
Major T20I Matches
Particularly the 2024 and 2025 series. A bilateral series of five T20Is was played between Islamabad and Wellington, where New Zealand hosted Pakistan in January 2024. Pakistan avoided a clean sweep with victory in the final ODI after New Zealand had look to win the series 4-1.
The two teams then clashed in April 2024 in Pakistan. The five-match series ended in a 2-2 tie, with one match being weather affected. It was one of the many closely contested matches that appeared in the series including a narrow 4-run victory for New Zealand in Lahore.
Later in March 2025, the two sides meet again for another five-match T20I series, this time in New Zealand. New Zealand won 4-1. The first two were wins for them; Pakistan came back to win in Auckland by nine wickets, and at the end of that New Zealand took the final two matches.
New Zealand vs Pakistan Timeline: Important Recent Matches
| Year | Format | Result / Major Event |
| 2023 | Test | Two-Test series in Pakistan ended 0-0 |
| 2024 | T20I | New Zealand won a five-match series 4-1 in New Zealand |
| 2024 | T20I | Pakistan and New Zealand drew the Pakistan series 2-2 |
| 2025 | ODI | New Zealand won the ODI series 3-0 |
| 2025 | T20I | New Zealand won the five-match series 4-1 |
| 2025 | ODI | New Zealand beat Pakistan by 60 runs in the Champions Trophy |
| 2026 | T20I | T20 World Cup meeting in Colombo was abandoned without a ball being bowled |
The 2025 season was particularly significant because New Zealand produced a series of strong performances against Pakistan across both ODI and T20I cricket.
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2025: A Strong Year for New Zealand
The timeline of New Zealand National Cricket Teams Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team saw another important turn in 2025. New Zealand beat Pakistan by five wickets to win the ODI Tri-Series in February and then won the final against the same opponents by five wickets. In the Champions Trophy at Karachi, New Zealand then beat Pakistan by 60 runs.
New Zealand carried on that momentum in the ODI series held in March-April. They won all three matches by a comfortable 3-0 clean sweep. New Zealand also took the five-match T20I series in March 4-1. Of the 5 T20Is, New Zealand won the first two, Pakistan the third and then New Zealand clinching wins in fourth and fifth to seal a series win. That made 2025 one of the more fruitful series for New Zealand against Pakistan in recent times.
2026: T20 World Cup Chapter
This rivalry continued in the 2026 T20 World Cup. New Zealand were to face Pakistan in Super Eight match in Colombo on February 21, 2026. The match could not be played due to rain and was therefore abandoned with no play taking place.
The result only added yet another strange entry in the long New Zealand National Cricket T… The weather would play its own role and since this wasn’t a 2:00 minute beak from some academic on the current season in sports, this was not another on-field battle.
Head-to-Head Record
The historical numbers show how closely the rivalry has developed, especially outside Test cricket.
| Format | Matches | New Zealand Wins | Pakistan Wins | Other Results |
| Tests | 62 | 14 | 25 | 23 drawn/other results |
| ODIs | 122 | 57 | 61 | 4 no results |
| T20Is | 50 | 23 | 24 | 3 no results |
The figures show Pakistan’s historical advantage, particularly in Tests, while the ODI and T20I records are much closer.
Why Is the New Zealand vs Pakistan Rivalry Special?
Several factors make this matchup attractive to cricket fans.
Different Cricketing Styles
Pakistan has always been known for its fast bowlers, erratic match-winning performances and proficient batters. New Zealand have been historically depend on discipline, teamwork, good bowling combinations and adaptability.
Close Limited-Overs Battles
The ODI and T20I numbers show how two teams on the day can be more even. But two wickets or a taped 10-run partnership can shift the needle.
ICC Tournament Pressure
The two sides have met regularly during World Cups and other internationals. These are pressure-filled matches, with no margin for error.
Memorable Individual Performances
As stars from both teams have put up their share of classic performances over time. Whether it be early decades or today’s New Zealand match-winners, individual brilliance has often shaped this rivalry — from legendary players for Pakistan through to the late 1990s and beyond.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline: What the Numbers Tell Us
The big picture history is interesting. So clearly Pakistan hold a far superior Test record. This highlights the relative cyclical nature of balance between generations, evidenced by New Zealand’s recent performances in limited-overs cricket.
The results from 2025 are a perfect illustration. The Champions Trophy match was won by New Zealand, followed by ODI series 3-0 win for NZ. T20I in March went to NZ 4-1. Pakistan, however, remains a formidable foe and the best competition in the format. With explosive batting and high-quality pace bowling, they are more than capable of reversing a series into as little time..
Final Thoughts
Timeline of New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team In fact, the whole New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline is much more than just a list of wins. A tale of changing styles of cricket, of legends born, tournaments played, and dominance shifting over the years.
Pakistan was the victor of the first Test series, which kicked off a fierce rivalry between the two sides in 1955, by a score of 2-0. Pakistan had a solid Test cricket tradition while New Zealand slowly blossomed into a formidable foe. The competition has become much closer in ODI’s and T20I’s.
FAQs About New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline
1. When did New Zealand and Pakistan first play cricket against each other?
New Zealand and Pakistan first met in Test cricket in October 1955. Pakistan won the first Test in Karachi by an innings and one run.
2. Who has won more Tests between New Zealand and Pakistan?
Pakistan has the better historical Test record. They have won 25 of the 62 Tests between the teams, compared with 14 wins for New Zealand.
3. Who leads the New Zealand vs Pakistan ODI head-to-head record?
Pakistan currently lead the ODI head-to-head record, with 61 wins compared with New Zealand’s 57 from 122 matches. Four matches have ended without a result.
4. Who has won more T20Is between New Zealand and Pakistan?
Pakistan have a narrow advantage in T20Is. They have won 24 of the 50 meetings, while New Zealand have won 23, with three matches ending without a result.
5. What happened in the latest New Zealand vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match?
The teams were scheduled to meet in the 2026 T20 World Cup Super Eight stage in Colombo on February 21, 2026. Persistent rain prevented the match from starting, so it was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
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