Pakistan-New Zealand rivalry is one of the greatest in cricket, offering plenty of thrills, turns, stunning wins, and those “wait…did that just happen?” moments, as highlighted in the New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline.
Over 120 One Day International matches have been played between Pakistan and New Zealand; both sides have won an equal number; with Pakistan coming out ahead due to having more victories in this shorter format.
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Mar 2025 | 5th T20I | Wellington | New Zealand won by 8 wickets | NZ chased 128 comfortably |
| 23 Mar 2025 | 4th T20I | Mount Maunganui | New Zealand won by 115 runs | Massive win; Pakistan bowled out for 105 |
| 21 Mar 2025 | 3rd T20I | Auckland | Pakistan won by 9 wickets | Dominant chase (207/1) |
| 18 Mar 2025 | 2nd T20I | Dunedin | New Zealand won by 5 wickets | Tight low-scoring contest |
| 16 Mar 2025 | 1st T20I | Christchurch | New Zealand won by 9 wickets | Pakistan collapsed for 91 |
Timeline
Pakistan and New Zealand continue to produce thrilling cricket despite their sometimes fraught relationship, producing jaw-dropping encounters between batting and bowling that leave fans breathless and screaming for more in T20 internationals.
There have been many clashes that were near poetic in their intensity while others still make you want to shout at your TV screen! Here’s a glimpse at some of the most epic NZ vs PAK matches ever played!
2023 – Pakistan Vs New Zealand Tour Schedule
New Zealand’s Black Caps will travel back to Pakistan this winter for another multi-series bilateral tour organized under ICC Future Tours Program (FTP) during December-January period. This series comprises two Test matches and three One Day Internationals without T20 cricket matches.
Pakistan will look to avenge their home defeat at the hands of New Zealand in Karachi during the first match of this series on 30 November; New Zealand, however, can look forward to taking their chance in Wellington during match two on 6 December.
New Zealand and Pakistan 2023: Full Schedule and Fixtures These teams last met at the World Cup earlier this year when New Zealand defeated Pakistan 4-1 to advance to the Super Eights stage.
Both teams will use this matchup as an opportunity to set out their stall prior to moving onto subsequent phases of competition – New Zealand will hope to build on their impressive showing while Pakistan hope to bounce back after suffering heavy defeat against India.
Matches
Pakistan-New Zealand series are one of the highlights in cricket. Both sides are well known for their fiery battles and brilliant skill sets; results often remain close and games frequently come down to the wire. Rio-esque chaos, tactical battles on tricky pitches and surprising performances all contribute to an engaging contest between these teams at major ICC tournaments such as World Cup.
No matter your style of bowling – be it creative stroke play or tactical bowling – New Zealand and Pakistan cricket matches provide something for everyone, and with the recent proliferation of T20 formats these rivalries have only intensified further.
NZ vs PAK T20 fixtures in recent years have been thrilling affairs, featuring incredible displays from both sides – though New Zealand have since held an edge due to their superior skill. This year’s match marks their 50th meeting in cricket’s shortest format format.
This match will provide both teams with an opportunity to put their skills through rigorous trials in a new pitch environment. New Zealand needs to improve its batting performance against Pakistan while Pakistan must shore up their bowling lineup for victory. New Zealand cricket team is currently performing strongly and they hope to beat their Pakistani opponents.
New Zealand reached the Super Eight stage of this tournament after defeating Canada and Namibia to advance. Unfortunately, South Africa defeated them in their quarter-final match; nonetheless they have an excellent chance of reaching the semifinals as New Zealand has players like Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra that could help lead their side to victory.
New Zealand has made three T20 World Cup finals and once won, although never on home turf. They will face a formidable Pakistani side but remain confident they are capable of victory.
This match will be an important test for both teams as they aim to advance into the semifinals of the T20 World Cup. The victor will advance, while any lost can expect elimination. Both sides have equal odds at victory – it all boils down to who plays better on that particular day!
Scoring
As cricket develops, its rivalries also change. New Zealand and Pakistan were two teams that often clashed during bilateral series in the 1980s and 90s; test matches would feature thrilling contests that left fans gasping in disbelief – this fierceness fueling an ongoing rivalry that still stands today.
At the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final, New Zealand narrowly defeated Pakistan. Led by centuries from Tom Latham and Will Young, New Zealand amassed an incredible total, ultimately falling short by 60 runs despite their best efforts. It was an unforgettable contest which will live long in memory.
New Zealand stands out as an exceptional test-playing nation, earning two major ICC titles: the Knockout Trophy (precursor to Champions Trophy) in 2000 and then World Test Championship 2021. Furthermore, their competitive spirit has seen them reach several ODI and T20 tournament finals as well.
The team boasts an experienced squad, with several of its star players making regular appearances for the national side. Each has a diverse skill set – such as excellent batting and bowling abilities – which allows it to adapt easily to different conditions and oppositions, playing positive, aggressive cricket.
Pakistan is an incredible team to watch as their style of play lends itself well to cricket. Their fast bowlers can pick up wickets quickly while their batsmen excel as powerful hitters – creating exciting and entertaining cricket that draws so much interest and admiration from viewers around the globe. That is why so many enjoy watching Pakistan play!
Asif Ali and Imran Tahir both possess immense talent that could propel them to the top of the rankings; therefore their performances in ODIs against New Zealand will be pivotal to whether or not Pakistan make it to the semifinals.
Result
Pakistan and New Zealand are two of the premier teams in cricket, renowned for their strategic play and top-quality performances. Their historical rivalry is not just historical; it is also thrillingly competitive: Rio-esque chaos, tactical battles on tricky wickets and unexpected performances all add up to create an exciting, engaging contest between them.
Both countries have engaged in a total of 58 test and 79 one-day international matches between them; Pakistan have won 24 tests while New Zealand have only managed 12; however, 27-27 even makes this matchup very close indeed.
Pakistan quickly asserted their dominance during their initial test meeting in 1955; New Zealand responded strongly and earned respect for their skill. Over time, their rivalry deepened further. By the 1980s and 90s they competed in multiple ODI series both domestically and abroad; results were close, with Pakistan always having an edge at home.
As the game has transitioned into shorter formats, competition only became fiercer. T20 cricket transformed cricket into an all-out sprint between both sides as each brought their best game to bear; imaginative stroke play, deceptive bowling tactics and heartbreak loss all added up to make a thrilling encounter between rival sides.
As a result, Pakistan took victory with a six-wicket victory and scored much-needed redemption after their previous loss against archrival India. Furthermore, this match marked Usman Tariq and Shadab Khan’s debuts – making this game all the more significant for them both as players and debutantes.
Both teams are eagerly awaiting an upcoming bilateral series between Pakistan and New Zealand in 2023, which includes 2 Test and 3 ODI matches as part of ICC FTP Program from December – January. Both sides have previously met each other at events like Champions Trophy and World Cup; New Zealand currently ranks fourth among ODI rankings so will prove an extremely difficult opponent for Pakistan.
