The cricketing rivalry between New Zealand and Pakistan is a storied one, filled with intense matches across all formats – Test, One Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20I). Both teams have produced memorable encounters, with Pakistan generally holding a slight edge in the overall head-to-head records. However, recent series have showcased a more competitive balance, with New Zealand increasingly challenging Pakistan's dominance.
Head-to-Head Statistics
Test Matches
Pakistan has a commanding lead in Test cricket, having won 25 matches compared to New Zealand's 14. [11] Despite this historical advantage, New Zealand has demonstrated significant improvement in recent times, securing victories in seven out of the last eight Test encounters between 2014 and December 2022. [11]
ODI Matches
In One Day Internationals, Pakistan also leads the head-to-head statistics with 61 wins out of 122 matches played against New Zealand's 57. [12] While Pakistan enjoyed a period of strong dominance, particularly until 2004, the Black Caps have been the more successful side in ODIs since then. [11]
T20 International Matches
The shortest format of the game, T20Is, has seen a closely fought contest. Pakistan has a narrow lead with 24 wins from 50 matches, while New Zealand has secured 23 victories. [8] Notably, recent T20I series in 2025 saw New Zealand perform strongly, winning the series 3-2. [1]
Recent and Upcoming Series
March-April 2025 Tour
Pakistan embarked on a tour of New Zealand in March and April 2025, participating in five T20 Internationals (T20Is) and three One Day Internationals (ODIs). [2] The series witnessed New Zealand showcasing their strength, winning the T20I series 3-2 and the ODI series 2-1. [1, 12]
April 2024 Tour
In April 2024, Pakistan hosted New Zealand for a five-match T20I series. This series proved to be competitive, with both teams managing to secure wins, reflecting the close nature of their encounters. [5]
January 2024 Tour
New Zealand hosted Pakistan for a five-match T20I series in January 2024. The home side emerged victorious, clinching the series with a decisive 4-1 margin. [7]
December 2020 - January 2021 Tour
Earlier, in December 2020 and January 2021, Pakistan toured New Zealand for a series that included two Test matches and five T20Is. New Zealand secured a dominant victory in the Test series, winning 2-0, and also claimed the T20I series 2-1. [6]
Notable Incidents and Tours
Security Concerns and Tour Cancellations
The history between New Zealand and Pakistan has unfortunately been marked by security concerns leading to tour disruptions. In September 2021, New Zealand's tour of Pakistan was abruptly canceled due to security alerts. [3, 17] A similar incident occurred in May 2002 when New Zealand's tour to Pakistan was cut short following a bomb blast outside their team hotel in Karachi, which resulted in fatalities. [14, 17]
T20 World Cup 2026 Encounter
A highly anticipated Super Eight match between Pakistan and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for February 2026 in Colombo, was unfortunately abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain. [13, 16, 27]
Key Players and Statistics
Top Run-Scorers (T20Is)
- Babar Azam (Pakistan): 880 runs [10]
- Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan): 689 runs [10]
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand): 667 runs [10]
Highest Individual Scores (T20Is)
- Finn Allen (New Zealand): 137 runs [10]
- Babar Azam (Pakistan): 101* [10]
Leading Wicket-Takers (T20Is)
- Tim Southee (New Zealand): 10 wickets [7]
- Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan): 9 wickets [7]
The ongoing rivalry between New Zealand and Pakistan in cricket continues to be a source of excitement for fans, with each series contributing to its rich legacy. While Pakistan has a historical advantage, the recent performances suggest a highly competitive future for these encounters.
