New Zealand and Pakistan share an enthralling rivalry that provides fans with plenty of entertainment, while maintaining healthy sportsmanship and respect.
Teams have played each other over time on everything from dusty cricket fields to state-of-the-art floodlit stadiums, producing some unforgettable matches that often end with nail-biting finishes and unforgettable memories read more about Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline.
1. Test Matches
Pakistan-New Zealand rivalry in cricket has long been one of the sport’s greatest spectacles, captivating fans across the world with intense Test matches as well as one day internationals (ODIs). Both sides share rich histories together and many memorable moments between 1992 World Cup semi-final and 2015 ICC Champions Trophy final are some of the highlights for their fans worldwide.
Since their first meeting in 1955, both teams have engaged in an epic rivalry that has given fans plenty to look forward to every time they play each other. Both sides have shared many unforgettable moments over the years as both fought hard for victories in Test matches as well as one-day internationals; there have also been plenty of draws along the way!
Certain moments during a match stand out like crescendos of music: they become part of fan memories forever. Such key moments can alter a game’s direction or even alter a team’s fortunes; such key moments often serve as the cornerstone for legendary series that fans remember for years afterward.
Pakistan and New Zealand recently played out several pivotal moments during their series. For example, Chad Bowes’ wicket against Shadab Khan proved decisive to their batting strategy, placing them on the back foot and destabilising their overall plan of attack.
Tom Latham’s masterful innings against Fakhar Zaman was another factor in helping New Zealand seize control of the match, alongside bowlers such as Dean Foxcroft and Glenn Phillips taking key wickets to keep scoring pressure at bay.
Collective effort ultimately led to New Zealand’s win, as evidenced by social media conversations after each series matchup. Furthermore, these memes captured the spirit of competition while uniting fans together in celebration, commiseration and friendly banter – something many fans found irresistible!
2. ODIs
Every cricket fan knows to expect fireworks when New Zealand and Pakistan national cricket teams face each other on an international stage. Their rivalry has created many iconic sporting figures and their contests can become fierce battles between these teams.
New Zealand and Pakistan’s national cricket teams have long had one of the fiercest and most exciting rivalries in sports, producing historic battles and thrilling wins at every match they played – from Wellington’s picturesque stadiums to Lahore’s vibrant grounds, these one-day internationals are never missed!
New Zealand and Pakistan’s longstanding rivalry dates back to 1952 when they first met as independent entities in a Test match at Lahore in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Ever since their meeting, New Zealand have dominated ODIs between the two teams until Pakistan made waves during the early 2000s led by Shoaib Akhtar, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf who started giving them some serious competition.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to field, choosing an overcast wicket that favoured bowlers. From the outset, their top order was under pressure as Nick Kelly and Rhys Mariu shared an opening partnership of 54 before Nick Kelly was caught behind for 31 – Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf attempted to stop this momentum with some tough hitting; both eventually fell due to poor shot selection.
Ben Sears then struck in his first over, taking out Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan with two wickets each. Naseem Shah and Haseeb Amjad provided some resistance with a patient 77-run partnership that was eventually broken by Usman Khan (in his second game after concussion replacement surgery) and Faheem Ashraf being dismissed for totalling only 78 runs between them.
New Zealand’s pace attack was superb, with both Will O’Rourke and Jacob Duffy unleashing some devastating bodyline bowling. Michael Bracewell also contributed with a wicket while Sears completed an outstanding five-wicket haul.
3. T20Is
New Zealand are looking forward to continuing their winning run against Pakistan in T20Is after taking out their series easily, while their counterparts will aim to turn things around after losing both games of this series so far. The first match will take place in Christchurch on Sunday before moving onto Auckland for the second on Tuesday.
Pakistan have held an edge over New Zealand over their 44 T20Is played between them with 23 wins to 19 victories for each side. But New Zealand are in impressive form lately and look like strong favourites to claim this series win.
The Black Caps were in excellent form in their opening two games, winning both by large margins thanks to an outstanding showing by Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling and Trent Boult. By contrast, Pakistan has struggled to put up decent totals during both matches they’ve played so far.
Now, however, things appear to be turning around as Pakistan have taken an unexpected lead by defeating New Zealand by 107 runs in the third T20I and cutting their lead down to 2-1 in the series and keeping their hopes alive.
Salman Agha, captain of Pakistan, conceded that their last outing was difficult and that they must work to regain momentum for their next game against New Zealand. New Zealand bowled particularly well against them while swinging and turning ball made it hard for Pakistanis to establish an early rhythm in their innings.
New Zealand’s batsmen struggled under pressure and eventually capitulated in defeat, with Jacob Duffy taking three wickets in two overs as their main destroyer. Michael Bracewell posted a half century and Rhys Mariu provided useful contributions in the field while Trent Boult and William Somerville both contributed two wickets each – yet still allowed too many runs late on.
4. Tri-Series
New Zealand and Pakistan share one of the fiercest rivalries in cricket history. From iconic pitches in history to state-of-the-art floodlit stadiums of 2025, their clashes have provided plenty of exciting moments and unforgettable drama – both sides have entertained fans everywhere with this rivalry.
In October 1955, these teams first faced each other at Karachi Cricket Ground in Pakistan and it ended in a close game, won by Pakistan by one innings and 13 runs. Two series were later held between these sides in 1968 and 1969 – both ending with draws. Hanif Mohammad’s unbeaten 203 was one key moment from 1969 series.
New Zealand and Pakistan have faced off 58 times in One Day Internationals (ODIs). New Zealand lead with 25 victories while Pakistan have 12. The last time these two sides faced each other was January 2018 when New Zealand won by 93 runs.
Rain shortened this match, with New Zealand making a strong total, led by Michael Bracewell’s amazing century and Rhys Mariu’s maiden ODI fifty. Pakistan bowlers struggled to control run rate in death overs, conceding too many runs at an alarmingly fast rate; Babar Azam scored an excellent 63 off 53 balls but this wasn’t enough to stop New Zealand victory.
T20Is between New Zealand and Pakistan have produced many epic encounters over time. Perhaps most notably was Pakistan’s win at the 1992 World Cup semi-final due to Inzamam-ul-Haq’s spectacular knock, which propelled them towards victory.
Pakistan were undisputed leaders at T20 cricket during this period and have enjoyed an unassailable record against New Zealand within this format.
Both teams may be in different places right now, but their match-up remains classic and will make for great entertainment. Their rivalry looks set to deepen with more ICC tournaments, Test championship cycles and bilateral series lined up – offering viewers the chance to witness some of the greatest players compete head on against each other.
