The Pakistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline stretches back to 1955 and includes more than seven decades of Test, ODI and T20 cricket. From Pakistan’s early dominance in Test cricket to memorable World Cup encounters and New Zealand’s recent success in white-ball cricket, the rivalry has produced many important moments.
Pakistan and New Zealand first met in a Test series in Pakistan in 1955. Since then, the two sides have faced each other across bilateral series and major ICC tournaments. Their meetings have included famous World Cup semi-finals, dramatic Test matches, high-scoring ODIs and closely contested T20I series.
Here is a detailed look at the major milestones in the Pakistan vs New Zealand cricket rivalry.
Pakistan vs New Zealand: Timeline at a Glance
| Year | Major Event | Result / Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | First Test series | Pakistan won 2-0 |
| 1965 | Test series in Pakistan | Pakistan won 2-0 |
| 1973 | Pakistan tour of New Zealand | Pakistan won one Test; two drawn |
| 1976 | New Zealand tour of Pakistan | Pakistan won Test series 2-0 |
| 1979 | Pakistan tour of New Zealand | Pakistan won one Test; two drawn |
| 1984 | New Zealand tour of Pakistan | Pakistan won 2-0 |
| 1985 | Pakistan tour of New Zealand | New Zealand won 2-0 |
| 1990 | New Zealand tour of Pakistan | Pakistan won 3-0 |
| 1992 | World Cup semi-final | Pakistan won by 4 wickets |
| 1994 | Pakistan tour of New Zealand | Pakistan won Test series 2-1 |
| 1999 | World Cup semi-final | Pakistan won by 9 wickets |
| 2001 | Test series in New Zealand | Series drawn 1-1 |
| 2007 | T20 World Cup semi-final | Pakistan won by 6 wickets |
| 2011 | World Cup | New Zealand won by 110 runs |
| 2015 | World Cup | New Zealand won by 10 wickets |
| 2019 | World Cup | Pakistan won by 6 wickets |
| 2022-23 | Test series in Pakistan | Drawn 0-0 |
| 2023 | ODI series in Pakistan | Pakistan won 4-1 |
| 2024 | T20I series in Pakistan | Drawn 2-2 |
| 2025 | Champions Trophy | New Zealand won by 60 runs |
| 2025 | T20I series in New Zealand | New Zealand won 4-1 |
| 2025 | ODI series in New Zealand | New Zealand won 3-0 |
| 2026 | T20 World Cup Super Eight | Match abandoned; one point each |
1955: The Rivalry Begins
The Pakistan-New Zealand Test rivalry began in October 1955 when New Zealand toured Pakistan. The first Test was played at Karachi from October 13 to 17.
Pakistan made a strong beginning, defeating New Zealand by an innings and one run. Fazal Mahmood and Pakistan’s other bowlers helped restrict New Zealand to 164 in the first innings and 124 in the second, while Pakistan made 289.
Pakistan also won the second Test at Lahore by four wickets. The third Test, played in Dhaka, ended in a draw. Pakistan therefore won the inaugural three-match series 2-0.
This series established the foundation for a rivalry that would continue across different generations of players.
1960s: Pakistan Establish an Early Advantage
The teams met again in 1965. Their three-Test series in Pakistan ended with two Pakistan victories and one draw.
The return series in New Zealand earlier that year was very different, with all three Tests ending in draws. Pakistan then won two of the three Tests when New Zealand toured Pakistan later in 1965.
The decade showed an early pattern in the rivalry: Pakistan were particularly difficult to beat on home conditions.
1970s: More Competitive Test Cricket
The 1970s brought several important Test encounters.
During Pakistan’s 1972-73 tour of New Zealand, Pakistan won the second Test at Dunedin by an innings and 166 runs, while the other two matches were drawn. Pakistan then won two Tests during New Zealand’s 1976 tour of Pakistan.
Pakistan also won the first Test of the 1978-79 tour of New Zealand by 128 runs, with the remaining two Tests drawn.
The teams were also moving into the developing ODI era. Pakistan and New Zealand played an ODI during New Zealand’s 1976-77 tour of Pakistan, marking another stage in the expansion of their rivalry beyond Test cricket.
1980s: Home Advantage Shapes the Rivalry
The 1980s produced contrasting results.
When New Zealand toured Pakistan in 1984, Pakistan won two Tests and drew one. However, Pakistan’s subsequent tour of New Zealand in early 1985 ended with New Zealand winning two Tests, while the first was drawn.
The difference between home and away performances was an important feature of the rivalry during this period.
Pakistan continued to have a strong record in home Tests, while New Zealand proved capable of exploiting its own conditions.
1990: Pakistan Sweep New Zealand 3-0
New Zealand toured Pakistan in 1990-91 for a three-Test series.
Pakistan won all three matches, including victories by an innings and 43 runs, nine wickets and 65 runs. The 3-0 result was one of Pakistan’s most comprehensive Test-series performances against New Zealand.
The result set the stage for another important meeting between the teams in the 1992 Cricket World Cup.
1992 World Cup Semi-Final: Inzamam’s Breakthrough
The 1992 Cricket World Cup semi-final is one of the defining moments in the Pakistan vs New Zealand timeline.
New Zealand had been one of the strongest teams throughout the tournament and reached the semi-final after an outstanding group-stage campaign. Playing in Auckland, New Zealand scored 262/7, with captain Martin Crowe making 91.
Pakistan’s chase appeared difficult, but a young Inzamam-ul-Haq changed the match with a spectacular 60 from 37 balls.
Javed Miandad then helped Pakistan complete the chase, and Pakistan won with an over remaining. The victory sent Pakistan into their first World Cup final.
Pakistan subsequently defeated England in the final and won their first men’s Cricket World Cup.
1994: Pakistan Win a Test Series in New Zealand
Pakistan continued their strong Test record against New Zealand during the 1990s.
On the 1993-94 tour of New Zealand, Pakistan won the first two Tests at Auckland and Wellington. New Zealand won the third Test at Christchurch, leaving Pakistan with a 2-1 series victory.
Pakistan also won the only Test of their 1995-96 tour of New Zealand by 161 runs.
1999 World Cup Semi-Final
Seven years after the 1992 semi-final, Pakistan and New Zealand met again in a World Cup semi-final.
This time the match took place in Manchester during the 1999 Cricket World Cup.
New Zealand scored 241/7, but Pakistan’s batting proved too strong. Saeed Anwar made an unbeaten 113 and Wajahatullah Wasti scored 84 as Pakistan chased the target with nine wickets to spare.
Pakistan reached their second World Cup final, although Australia won the tournament.
The back-to-back 1992 and 1999 semi-final victories became defining chapters of the rivalry.
2000s: The Rivalry Moves Into T20 Cricket
Pakistan and New Zealand continued to play regular Test and ODI cricket during the early 2000s.
The 2000-01 Test series in New Zealand ended 1-1, with one match drawn. Pakistan won the first Test at Auckland by 299 runs, while New Zealand responded with an innings-and-185-run victory in Hamilton.
Pakistan and New Zealand also became regular opponents in international limited-overs cricket.
The introduction of T20 cricket added another dimension to their rivalry.
2007 T20 World Cup Semi-Final
At the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007, Pakistan and New Zealand met in the semi-final.
Pakistan won the match by six wickets and advanced to the final. PCB records list the semi-final between New Zealand and Pakistan at Newlands on September 22, 2007.
Pakistan eventually lost the final to India.
2011 World Cup: Ross Taylor’s Explosive Innings
The teams met again during the 2011 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka.
New Zealand’s Ross Taylor produced a remarkable unbeaten 131 from 124 balls. His late assault included 28 runs from one Shoaib Akhtar over and 30 from an over by Abdul Razzaq.
New Zealand won the match by 110 runs.
The result demonstrated that the World Cup rivalry was no longer dominated by Pakistan, even though Pakistan had won the major knockout encounters between the teams.
2015 World Cup
Pakistan and New Zealand met in the 2015 World Cup in New Zealand.
The tournament was played in conditions that suited the home side, and New Zealand won the match by 10 wickets.
New Zealand went on to reach the final, while Pakistan were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
2019 World Cup: Pakistan Strike Back
The 2019 World Cup produced another important Pakistan victory.
New Zealand, one of the tournament’s unbeaten teams at that point, scored 237/6 at Edgbaston. Jimmy Neesham made 97 not out and Colin de Grandhomme scored 64.
Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi, restricted New Zealand’s scoring.
Pakistan then chased the target successfully, winning by six wickets. Babar Azam was named Player of the Match.
2022-23: Dramatic Test Series in Pakistan
New Zealand returned to Pakistan in late 2022 for a two-Test series.
Both Tests ended in draws, meaning the series finished 0-0. The second Test in Karachi was especially dramatic, with both sides having realistic chances of victory late on the fifth day.
New Zealand then played a three-match ODI series in Pakistan, which Pakistan won 2-1 according to the schedule and results surrounding the tour.
2023: Pakistan Win the ODI Series 4-1
The teams met again in Pakistan in April and May 2023 for a five-match ODI series.
Pakistan won the first four matches and therefore secured the series before the final game. New Zealand won the fifth ODI in Karachi by 47 runs, leaving Pakistan with a 4-1 series victory.
The series was significant because Pakistan used it as preparation for the upcoming 2023 Cricket World Cup.
2024: T20I Series Ends 2-2
New Zealand returned to Pakistan in April 2024 for five T20Is.
The series was affected by interruptions, but the final result was a 2-2 draw. The fifth match completed the series after both teams had won two games.
The contest was particularly useful as preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
2025 Champions Trophy: New Zealand Win in Karachi
One of the biggest recent meetings came in the opening match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Pakistan, the defending champions and tournament hosts, faced New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, 2025.
New Zealand scored 320/5, powered by centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham. Pakistan struggled during the chase and were eventually bowled out for 260.
New Zealand therefore won by 60 runs. It was also New Zealand’s fourth consecutive victory over Pakistan in Champions Trophy meetings.
2025: New Zealand Dominate the White-Ball Series
The rivalry continued with a white-ball tour of New Zealand in March and April 2025.
New Zealand won the five-match T20I series 4-1. Pakistan did record a notable victory in the third T20I, when Hasan Nawaz scored an unbeaten 105 from 45 balls. His century came from only 44 deliveries, at the time becoming the fastest T20I hundred by a Pakistan batter.
New Zealand then completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep. The third ODI ended with New Zealand winning by 43 runs, completing the clean sweep.
2026 T20 World Cup: Match Abandoned
The latest major men’s meeting between Pakistan and New Zealand came at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The teams met in the Super Eight stage in Colombo on February 21, 2026. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, but rain prevented the match from getting underway.
The game was officially abandoned, with Pakistan and New Zealand receiving one point each.
New Zealand eventually advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament, while Pakistan were eliminated during the Super Eight stage.
Pakistan vs New Zealand World Cup History
World Cups have produced some of the most memorable matches in this rivalry.
Pakistan have defeated New Zealand in two famous World Cup semi-finals:
- 1992: Pakistan won by four wickets.
- 1999: Pakistan won by nine wickets.
Other notable World Cup meetings include:
- 2007: New Zealand won the group-stage match.
- 2011: New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 110 runs.
- 2015: New Zealand won by 10 wickets.
- 2019: Pakistan won by six wickets.
- 2023: Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 21 runs via the DLS method in Bengaluru, with Fakhar Zaman making an unbeaten 126 from 81 balls.
The World Cup record therefore contains both long periods of Pakistan success and significant New Zealand victories.
Pakistan vs New Zealand Rivalry in Different Formats
Test Cricket
The Test rivalry began in 1955 and has traditionally featured strong Pakistani performances, particularly in home conditions.
Pakistan won the inaugural series 2-0 and recorded several subsequent series victories. New Zealand’s notable Test success came in the 2018 UAE series, when the Black Caps won 2-1. The ICC described it as New Zealand’s first Test series win away from home against Pakistan in 49 years.
ODI Cricket
ODI cricket has produced several memorable World Cup contests. The 1992 and 1999 semi-finals are particularly famous, while New Zealand’s wins in 2011 and 2015 demonstrated their ability to challenge Pakistan on the global stage.
The 2023 ODI series in Pakistan ended 4-1 in Pakistan’s favour, while New Zealand won the 2025 ODI series 3-0.
T20I Cricket
T20 cricket has added another competitive element. The teams have met in World Cups and bilateral series, with Pakistan winning the 2007 T20 World Cup semi-final and New Zealand producing strong results in more recent bilateral contests.
The 2025 T20I series in New Zealand ended 4-1 in favour of the hosts.
Major Players in the Pakistan vs New Zealand Timeline
Several legendary players have shaped this rivalry.
Pakistan:
Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar, Shoaib Akhtar, Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman have all played memorable roles.
New Zealand:
Martin Crowe, Stephen Fleming, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham and Mitchell Santner have been among the notable New Zealand performers.
The 1992 semi-final belonged to Inzamam, while the 1999 semi-final featured Saeed Anwar’s unbeaten century. Ross Taylor’s 131 not out in 2011 and Fakhar Zaman’s 126 not out in 2023 are among the other memorable individual performances.
Conclusion
The Pakistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline covers more than 70 years of international cricket. Beginning with Pakistan’s 1955 Test series victory, the rivalry has evolved through the introduction of ODI cricket, the rise of World Cup cricket and the modern T20 era.
The two World Cup semi-final victories in 1992 and 1999 remain especially important moments in Pakistan’s cricket history. New Zealand have also produced major victories, including the 2011 and 2015 World Cup wins and their recent white-ball dominance in 2025.
The rivalry continues to combine contrasting cricketing traditions: Pakistan’s pace, flair and individual match-winners against New Zealand’s disciplined and adaptable approach. The abandoned 2026 T20 World Cup Super Eight meeting is currently the latest chapter in this long-running international contest.
FAQs
When did Pakistan and New Zealand first play cricket against each other?
Pakistan and New Zealand first played a Test match against each other in October 1955 in Karachi. Pakistan won the match by an innings and one run.
Who won the first Pakistan vs New Zealand Test series?
Pakistan won the first Test series between the two teams in 1955 by 2-0, with one match ending in a draw.
When did Pakistan beat New Zealand in the 1992 World Cup?
Pakistan defeated New Zealand in the semi-final of the 1992 Cricket World Cup in Auckland. Inzamam-ul-Haq scored 60 from 37 balls as Pakistan chased 263 successfully.
How many times have Pakistan and New Zealand met in a World Cup semi-final?
They have met twice in men’s Cricket World Cup semi-finals: in 1992 and 1999. Pakistan won both matches.
Who won the 2023 Pakistan vs New Zealand World Cup match?
Pakistan won the 2023 Cricket World Cup match against New Zealand by 21 runs under the DLS method. Fakhar Zaman scored an unbeaten 126.
Who won the 2025 Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and New Zealand?
New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 60 runs in the opening match of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Karachi. Will Young and Tom Latham both scored centuries.
What happened when Pakistan played New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Their Super Eight match in Colombo on February 21, 2026, was abandoned because of rain. Both teams received one point.
Who won the 2025 Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series?
New Zealand won the five-match T20I series 4-1 in March 2025. Pakistan’s only victory came in the third match, when Hasan Nawaz scored an unbeaten 105.
Who won the 2025 Pakistan vs New Zealand ODI series?
New Zealand won the three-match ODI series 3-0 in April 2025. The final match ended with a 43-run New Zealand victory.
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