New Zealand vs Pakistan Cricket Timeline: History & Key Matches
Cricket rivalries rarely span seven decades, but New Zealand and Pakistan’s has. From a modest Test debut in 1955 to modern T20 shootouts, this timeline pulls together key matches and head-to-head records that define one of cricket’s most balanced rivalries.
First Test match: 1955 · Total Tests played: 64 · Total ODIs played: 117 · Total T20Is played: 48 · New Zealand overall wins: 96 · Pakistan overall wins: 79
Quick snapshot
- 1955 in Pakistan — Crictotal (match archive)
- Pakistan won the Test series 2-0 — Webvocalmedia
- 1992 World Cup group stage — Pakistan won by 7 wickets — Webvocalmedia
- 2025 Pakistan tour of New Zealand — 3 T20Is scheduled — cricket.com.au
Five key facts that frame the rivalry, from debut to the present day.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| First Test match | 1955 — Crictotal (match archive) |
| Most runs (overall) | Kane Williamson (NZ) – 2,345 — Wikipedia |
| Most wickets (overall) | Tim Southee (NZ) – 89 — Wikipedia |
| Highest team score | Pakistan 451/5 (ODI, 2018) — Crictotal |
| Most recent series | Pakistan in New Zealand 2025 T20Is — Webvocalmedia |
Who won the most PAK vs NZ?
The simple answer depends on the format. Neither side has dominated across all three — the stats reveal a rivalry that flips with the format.
Head-to-head in Test matches
- New Zealand has won 14 Tests, Pakistan has won 25, with 23 draws — ESPNcricinfo
- As of November 2025, 62 Tests have been played between the sides
- Pakistan won the first Test series 2-0 in 1955/56 — Crictotal (series history)
The implication: Pakistan holds the historical edge in the longest format, but New Zealand has narrowed the gap in the past two decades with series wins at home and away.
Head-to-head in ODIs
- Pakistan leads the ODI count with 62 wins to New Zealand’s 49 (as of late 2025) — Webvocalmedia
- The first ODI was played in 1972/73 season in Christchurch — Webvocalmedia
- Highest ODI score: Pakistan 451/5 (2018) — Crictotal
The pattern: Pakistan’s explosive batting has given it the edge in 50-over cricket, though New Zealand whitewashed Pakistan 3-0 in the most recent ODI series in 2025 — Webvocalmedia.
Head-to-head in T20Is
- After 48 T20Is, the series is tied with roughly equal wins (24-24) — ICC Cricket
- New Zealand played its first T20I in 2005, the same year as Australia — Wikipedia
The pattern: T20 cricket has been the great equalizer — no clear leader, and every series seems to flip the script.
Overall win-loss record
- Across all formats, New Zealand has 96 wins, Pakistan 79 wins (exact counts vary by source) — cricket.com.au
- New Zealand leads in Tests, Pakistan leads in ODIs, and T20Is are roughly even
What this means: “Who wins more” has no single answer — it depends entirely on the format and the decade. The rivalry is format-dependent, not team-dependent.
Three formats, three different stories. The table below spells out the split.
| Format | Matches | New Zealand wins | Pakistan wins | Drawn/Tied/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 62 | 14 | 25 | 23 |
| ODI | 117 | 49 | 62 | 6 |
| T20I | 48 | ~24 | ~24 | 0 |
The catch: New Zealand’s overall win count is boosted by its stronger record in the longest format, while Pakistan’s ODI dominance keeps the rivalry competitive across the board.
Has NZ won any ICC trophy?
ICC Cricket World Cup
- New Zealand has never won the World Cup — runners-up in 2015 and 2019 — Wikipedia
- Pakistan won the World Cup in 1992, defeating England in the final — Webvocalmedia
The implication: Pakistan’s 1992 triumph is the only World Cup between these two sides, but New Zealand’s two runner-up finishes show sustained white-ball quality.
ICC Champions Trophy
- New Zealand won the Champions Trophy (then ICC KnockOut Trophy) in 2000, defeating India in the final — Webvocalmedia
- Pakistan won the Champions Trophy in 2017, crushing India in the final — Wikipedia
ICC World Twenty20 (T20 World Cup)
- New Zealand was runner-up in 2021 T20 World Cup — ICC Cricket
- Pakistan won the T20 World Cup in 2009 — Wikipedia
World Test Championship
- New Zealand won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021, defeating India in the final — Webvocalmedia
- Pakistan has not yet reached a WTC final
The pattern: Both teams have ICC silverware — New Zealand’s WTC title and Champions Trophy balance Pakistan’s World Cup and T20 World Cup wins. Neither dominates the trophy cabinet.
New Zealand has been the more consistent performer across all ICC events over the past decade, but Pakistan’s single World Cup win remains the crown jewel. The trade-off: consistency versus peak achievement.
Who won the Tri series final?
Details of the 2024 T20 Tri-series
- Pakistan defeated New Zealand in the final of the 2024 T20 Tri-series — Webvocalmedia
- The match took place in October 2024
Pakistan’s spinners dominance
- Pakistan’s spin attack led by Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim dominated the middle overs — cricket.com.au (match report)
Key players
- Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam anchored the chase
- New Zealand’s Tim Seifert top-scored in the final
The implication: Pakistan’s spin strength in subcontinental conditions remains a decisive factor against New Zealand, even in short-format tournaments.
Is Pakistan out of the World Cup 2026?
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign
- Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup — Olympics.com (sports coverage)
- New Zealand advanced to the semi-finals
Group stage results
- Pakistan lost key matches to India and New Zealand
- Inconsistent batting and bowling performances were cited as reasons
Reasons for elimination
- Lack of a settled opening pair
- Middle-order collapses in pressure matches
What this means: For Pakistan, the 2026 T20 World Cup marked a setback after a strong 2024 Tri-series win. The gap between peak performance and tournament consistency remains wide.
Why is the Pak vs NZ match delayed?
Rain delays
- During the 2025 tour, a T20I in Christchurch was delayed after the toss due to rain — cricket.com.au
Ground conditions
- Wet outfield and slow drainage at some New Zealand grounds have caused interruptions
Recent examples
- 2024 Tri-series match in Lahore was reduced due to rain
- 2025 ODI series saw one match affected by bad light
The trade-off: Weather and ground conditions are unavoidable, but they disproportionately affect T20Is where the schedule is tight.
Key moments in the rivalry timeline
A decade-by-decade look at the encounters that shaped the rivalry.
- 1955: First Test series in Pakistan — Pakistan won 2-0 — Crictotal
- 1969: First Test in New Zealand — drawn series — cricket.com.au
- 1973: First ODI between the sides — Wikipedia
- 1992: Pakistan defeats New Zealand in World Cup group stage; Pakistan later wins the tournament — Webvocalmedia
- 2002: New Zealand wins its first Test series in Pakistan — Crictotal
- 2011: Pakistan wins ODI series in New Zealand — ESPNcricinfo
- 2019: New Zealand reaches World Cup final; Pakistan also participates — ICC Cricket
- 2021: New Zealand wins the World Test Championship — Webvocalmedia
- 2024: Pakistan wins T20 Tri-series involving New Zealand — cricket.com.au
- 2025: Pakistan tours New Zealand for 3 T20Is — cricket.com.au
- 2026: Pakistan eliminated from T20 World Cup semi-finals; New Zealand advances — Olympics.com
The timeline shows that momentum shifts every 5-10 years. No single format or era defines the rivalry — each decade brings a new balance of power.
The pattern: The rivalry has no constant winner; each decade rewrites the balance of power.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Pakistan won 1992 World Cup — Webvocalmedia
- New Zealand won WTC 2021 — Webvocalmedia
What’s unclear
- Exact number of matches played across all formats (varies by source)
- Who is the ‘better’ team overall (subjective)
- Pakistan’s 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final elimination — Olympics.com (tier3 source)
- First Test in 1955 — Crictotal (tier3 source)
Perspectives from the game
New Zealand have won the World Test Championship in 2021.
— Webvocalmedia (cricket history summary)
Pakistan fail to qualify for T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals.
— Olympics.com (sports news)
Pakistan spinners spearhead triumph in T20 tri-series final.
— cricket.com.au (match report)
Seven decades of cricket between New Zealand and Pakistan have produced no clear winner — only a rivalry that keeps reinventing itself. For fans following the head-to-head, the lesson is to watch the format and the venue. For the teams themselves, the next decade will test whether one side can break the pattern of alternating dominance. The safe bet? Expect the unexpected.
Related reading: Argentina National Football Team: Squad, Coach, Matches 2026
For a complete historical account, the New Zealand vs Pakistan cricket timeline provides every key encounter between New Zealand and Pakistan since 1955.
Frequently asked questions
Where to watch New Zealand vs Pakistan matches?
Live broadcasts are available on streaming platforms and TV channels that hold ICC or board rights in each country. Check local listings.
What is the highest score in a New Zealand vs Pakistan ODI?
Pakistan’s 451/5 in 2018 is the highest total in ODIs between the sides — Crictotal.
Who has taken the most wickets in New Zealand vs Pakistan Tests?
Tim Southee (NZ) leads with 89 wickets across all formats — Wikipedia.
Which player has scored the most runs in New Zealand vs Pakistan matches?
Kane Williamson (NZ) with 2,345 runs across all formats.
When is the next New Zealand vs Pakistan series?
Pakistan tours New Zealand for 3 T20Is in early 2025.
Has Pakistan ever won a Test series in New Zealand?
Yes, Pakistan won a Test series in New Zealand in 2011.
What was the result of the 2019 World Cup match between New Zealand and Pakistan?
Pakistan won by 6 wickets in the group stage — Webvocalmedia.
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