Introduction: New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline
The New Zealand vs Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most exciting matchups in international cricket. Whether it’s a Test match, an ODI, or a T20, whenever these two teams face each other, fans from both countries watch with great excitement.
In this article, we’ll walk through the full timeline of their clashes, highlight key moments, and explore some interesting facts about both teams.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Both Teams
New Zealand National Cricket Team
The New Zealand cricket team, also called the Black Caps, is known for its fighting spirit, teamwork, and fair play. They have produced legendary cricketers like:
- Kane Williamson
- Brendon McCullum
- Daniel Vettori
- Richard Hadlee
New Zealand is respected for its consistent performances, especially in ICC tournaments.
Pakistan National Cricket Team
Pakistan is known for its raw talent, fast bowlers, and unpredictable style. The team has produced many world-class players such as:
- Wasim Akram
- Waqar Younis
- Shahid Afridi
- Babar Azam
The Men in Green have won many hearts with their thrilling wins and dramatic turnarounds.
Head-to-Head Overview
Before diving into the timeline, here’s a quick summary of how New Zealand and Pakistan have performed against each other across formats (as of 2025):
| Format | Matches Played | Pakistan Wins | New Zealand Wins | Draw/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 62 | 26 | 16 | 20 |
| ODIs | 115 | 60 | 51 | 4 |
| T20Is | 42 | 20 | 21 | 1 |
Both teams have had their moments of dominance, making this rivalry very balanced and entertaining.
Timeline of Matches – Key Milestones
Here is a table timeline of major meetings between New Zealand and Pakistan in all three formats:
| Year | Format | Venue/Country | Winner | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Test | Pakistan | Pakistan | First-ever meeting |
| 1965 | Test | New Zealand | Draw | Low-scoring series |
| 1973 | ODI | England (WC) | Pakistan | ODI debut match for both in WC |
| 1984 | Test | Pakistan | Pakistan | Strong win in Karachi |
| 1992 | ODI | New Zealand | Pakistan | Pakistan beat NZ in semi-final, went on to win World Cup |
| 1996 | ODI | Pakistan | New Zealand | Marked rise of new generation |
| 2001 | Test | New Zealand | Draw | Balanced series |
| 2003 | ODI | South Africa (WC) | New Zealand | Group stage battle |
| 2009 | T20I | England (T20 WC) | Pakistan | Pakistan won the tournament |
| 2011 | ODI | Sri Lanka (WC) | New Zealand | Brendon McCullum stars |
| 2016 | T20I | New Zealand | New Zealand | Kane Williamson leads |
| 2021 | T20I | UAE | Pakistan | Nail-biter match |
| 2022 | ODI | Pakistan | Pakistan | Strong batting performance |
| 2023 | Test | New Zealand | Draw | Babar and Williamson both scored centuries |
| 2024 | T20I | Pakistan | New Zealand | Thriller finish |
| 2025 | ODI | New Zealand | Pakistan | Latest win by Pakistan |
Memorable Matches
1992 World Cup Semi-Final
This match is one of the most iconic moments in cricket history. Pakistan, led by Imran Khan, defeated a strong New Zealand team and later went on to win the World Cup. Inzamam-ul-Haq played a match-winning knock in the semi-final.
2009 ICC T20 World Cup
Pakistan won the tournament and had a solid victory over New Zealand in the group stages. Shahid Afridi’s all-round performance was a standout.
2023 Test Series
This series showed the growth of both teams. Babar Azam and Kane Williamson both scored brilliant centuries. The matches were drawn but filled with high-quality cricket.
Playing Styles and Strengths
Pakistan’s Style
Pakistan is known for its fast bowlers and aggressive batters. They produce quick bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. Their batting lineup, led by Babar Azam, is stylish and powerful.
Strengths:
- Fast bowling attack
- Unpredictability
- Spin-friendly conditions at home
New Zealand’s Style
New Zealand plays with discipline and calm. They are good at planning and adapting to different situations. With players like Tim Southee and Devon Conway, they cover all departments well.
Strengths:
- Team coordination
- Cool-headed leadership
- Adaptability in foreign conditions
Captaincy Over the Years
| Team | Famous Captains | Notable Leadership Moments |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | Imran Khan, Babar Azam | 1992 World Cup win, T20 resurgence |
| New Zealand | Stephen Fleming, Kane Williamson | 2015 & 2019 World Cup Finals |
Both teams have had strong captains who led with passion and calmness.
Tournament Clashes
World Cups (ODI & T20)
Pakistan and New Zealand have met many times in ICC tournaments:
- ODI World Cups: Pakistan has mostly dominated, including in 1992 and 1999.
- T20 World Cups: Balanced results. Pakistan won in 2009, NZ had wins in later editions.
Champions Trophy
In the Champions Trophy events, both teams have had mixed performances. Pakistan’s 2017 win over top teams, including India, was a standout.
Home and Away Records
- In Pakistan: Pakistan has a strong record, especially in Tests and ODIs.
- In New Zealand: New Zealand performs well in swinging conditions, making it tough for visiting teams.
- Neutral Venues (like UAE): Balanced matches with close finishes.
The UAE became Pakistan’s second home ground for several years, where they enjoyed good success against New Zealand too.
Fan Support and Rivalry
Though not as fiery as India vs Pakistan, the NZ vs Pakistan rivalry has grown because of thrilling matches and close contests. Fans from both countries support their teams with great passion.
- Pakistani fans love exciting finishes and unpredictable wins.
- New Zealand fans enjoy smart and calm cricket with strong values.
The respect between teams and fans is mutual, and the spirit of the game is always maintained.
Broadcasting and Streaming
Matches between these two are broadcast worldwide. You can watch them on:
- PTV Sports (Pakistan)
- Sky Sport (New Zealand)
- Hotstar, Sony Liv, or ICC’s YouTube channel during ICC events
What to Expect in the Future
Looking forward, both teams have a solid young core. With players like:
- Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
- Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
We can expect many more exciting contests between them.
Future tours are already being planned, and cricket boards are working to increase bilateral series to build more fan engagement and improve relations.
Fun Facts
- Pakistan has never lost to New Zealand in an ODI World Cup.
- New Zealand and Pakistan have faced off in over 220 total matches.
- Both teams played their first T20I against each other in 2006.
Conclusion
The cricket rivalry between the New Zealand national cricket team and the Pakistan national cricket team is full of exciting matches, close calls, and brilliant performances. Whether it’s a World Cup knockout game or a friendly bilateral series, both teams bring out the best in each other.
Fans from both sides continue to enjoy the thrilling contests, and the spirit of cricket shines whenever New Zealand and Pakistan meet.
With new talent and experienced players on both teams, the future of this rivalry looks brighter than ever.