The cricketing showdown between New Zealand’s Black Caps and Pakistan’s Men in Green traces back to their inaugural Test encounter in 1955, evolving into a saga spanning more than 240 matches across all formats. This rivalry embodies contrasting styles: New Zealand’s disciplined unit play, resilient middle-order batting, and lethal swing bowling, spearheaded by icons like Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Rachin Ravindra, and Mark Chapman. In contrast, Pakistan thrives on audacious run-chases, cunning spin variations, and fiery pace attacks, fueled by stars such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Fakhar Zaman.
Head-to-head records reflect the balance: In Tests, Pakistan holds a narrow lead with 32 victories to New Zealand’s 12 across 59 matches, alongside 15 draws. ODIs see Pakistan slightly ahead at 61-57 in 122 outings (with 3 no-results and 1 tie). T20Is remain tightly contested, with New Zealand edging 23-21 in 49 games (5 no-results). Trends highlight Pakistan’s dominance in home or neutral venues through spin mastery, while New Zealand has fortified its home grounds, particularly post-2020, with unyielding seamers.
Iconic highlights include the nail-biting 2022 Karachi Test (Pakistan’s 26-run triumph), New Zealand’s dominant 2014 UAE series sweep, the poignant 2019 Christchurch victory amid national tragedy, Pakistan’s heroic 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final chase, and New Zealand’s commanding 2025 home tour (3-0 ODI whitewash, 4-1 T20I series win, featuring Chapman’s century and Southee’s hauls). The 1992 World Cup clash kickstarted Pakistan’s triumphant campaign. Razor-thin margins—like 26-run thrillers and super-over dramas—define this fixture. Looking ahead, emerging talents on both sides signal more edge-of-the-seat battles.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline
Overall Record
| Category | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 59 | 12 | 32 |
Pakistan has long mastered the longer format with home-soil spin wizardry and gritty defenses, yet New Zealand’s bold overseas pushes have delivered unforgettable upsets.
🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 1st Test at Lahore, 12-17 March 1955
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | New Zealand tour of Pakistan 1954/55 |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Date | 12-17 March 1955 |
| Toss | 🇵🇰 Pakistan won, chose to field |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 239 & 227 |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 227 & 190/9 |
| Result | Match drawn |
| Player of the Match | Not awarded |
This debut clash set a resilient tone for the rivalry, ending in a hard-fought stalemate on a turning track. New Zealand’s Bert Sutcliffe top-scored with 58 and 47, steadying the innings amid early breakthroughs. Pakistan’s Imtiaz Ahmed’s unbeaten 55 in the second dig mounted pressure, but persistent rain halted their pursuit of 240, preserving the draw. It showcased both teams’ potential, laying groundwork for future intense duels that fans still recall as an equitable opener.
🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 1st Test at Dubai, 3-7 November 2014
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | New Zealand tour of UAE 2014/15 |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium |
| Date | 3-7 November 2014 |
| Toss | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won, chose to bat |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 690/6 dec (149.4 ov) |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 351 (109.2 ov) & 259 (87.3 ov) |
| Result | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by an innings and 80 runs |
| Player of the Match | Kane Williamson (🇳🇿): 192 & 47 |
Kane Williamson’s elegant 192 anchored New Zealand’s mammoth 690 for 6 declared—their highest in Asia—bolstered by Brendon McCullum’s brisk 56. Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq fought valiantly with 93, but Tim Southee’s 5 for 79 and Ish Sodhi’s 4 for 65 dismantled the innings. A second-innings capitulation confirmed New Zealand’s breakthrough victory in the UAE, igniting a 2-0 clean sweep and shattering Pakistan’s neutral-venue stronghold.
🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 1st Test at Karachi, 26-30 December 2022
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | New Zealand tour of Pakistan 2022/23 |
| Venue | National Stadium, Karachi |
| Date | 26-30 December 2022 |
| Toss | 🇵🇰 Pakistan won, chose to bat |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 438 (117.4 ov) & 182/0 dec (35.5 ov) |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 407 (164.5 ov) & 213 (80.3 ov) |
| Result | 🇵🇰 Pakistan won by 26 runs |
| Player of the Match | Babar Azam (🇵🇰): 161 |
A heart-stopping finale etched in history! Babar Azam’s masterful 161 propelled Pakistan to 438, matched closely by New Zealand’s Kane Williamson (118) and Tom Blundell (74). Declaring at 182 for no loss in the second innings set a 257-run target, but New Zealand’s collapse—despite Daryl Mitchell’s 42—handed Pakistan a dramatic 26-run win. This edge-of-the-seat thriller underscored Pakistan’s unbreakable home resolve.
🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 3rd Test at Christchurch, 3-7 December 2018
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2018/19 |
| Venue | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| Date | 3-7 December 2018 |
| Toss | 🇵🇰 Pakistan won, chose to bat |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 227 & 372 |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 249 & 352/8 dec |
| Result | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 4 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Ross Taylor (🇳🇿): 36 & 80* |
In a match laced with emotion following the Christchurch mosque attacks, cricket became a beacon of solidarity. Pakistan’s Shan Masood’s 91 fueled their second-innings 372, but New Zealand’s Ross Taylor (80 not out) and Henry Nicholls guided a tense chase of 419 for a 4-wicket triumph. The Hagley Oval crowd’s cheers symbolized healing and unity, highlighting the Black Caps’ fortitude in adversity.
Test Format Summary
Across 59 Tests, Pakistan’s 32 triumphs stem from spin dominance and home advantages, countered by New Zealand’s 12 gritty wins via pace exploitation and tactical acumen. Patterns include high-stakes chases over 300 and dramatic last-wicket stands. Standout rivalries like Williamson versus Babar continue to captivate, with no Tests in 2025 but the format’s intensity undimmed.
🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan ODI Matches
Overall Record
| Category | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | Ties/NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 122 | 57 | 4 |
This 50-over arena delivers balanced, high-octane contests, with New Zealand reigning supreme on home turf through consistent all-round prowess.
🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 1st ODI at Napier, 29 March 2025
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2025 |
| Venue | McLean Park, Napier |
| Date | 29 March 2025 |
| Toss | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won, chose to bat |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 344/9 (50 ov) |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 271 (44.1 ov) |
| Result | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 73 runs |
| Player of the Match | Mark Chapman (🇳🇿): 125* |
Mark Chapman’s explosive unbeaten 125 ignited New Zealand’s 344 for 9, built on a sizzling opening stand exceeding 100. Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman’s 80-plus knock sparked hope, but Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner’s combined five-wicket haul sparked a middle-order meltdown. This emphatic opener paved the way for New Zealand’s 3-0 series domination, exposing their batting firepower.
🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 2nd ODI at Hamilton, 2 April 2025
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2025 |
| Venue | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
| Date | 2 April 2025 |
| Toss | 🇵🇰 Pakistan won, chose to field |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 292/8 (50 ov) |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 208 (41.2 ov) |
| Result | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 84 runs |
| Player of the Match | Rachin Ravindra (🇳🇿) |
Rachin Ravindra’s versatile masterclass rescued New Zealand from a shaky start, forging key partnerships to reach 292 for 8. Pakistan surged early with Mohammad Rizwan’s 60, but the spin tandem of Ravindra and Santner choked the accelerator, causing a batting implosion. Securing a 2-0 lead, this win affirmed New Zealand’s unassailable home momentum.
🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 3rd ODI at Tauranga, 5 April 2025
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2025 |
| Venue | Bay Oval, Tauranga |
| Date | 5 April 2025 |
| Toss | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won, chose to bat |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 300+ (50 ov) |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 257 (48 ov) |
| Result | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 43 runs |
| Player of the Match | Tim Southee (🇳🇿) |
New Zealand capped a flawless series with a commanding total north of 300, powered by Mark Chapman and Kane Williamson’s substantial contributions. Pakistan mounted a spirited reply via Babar Azam’s near-century (90), yet Tim Southee’s incisive 4-wicket spell derailed the chase. This 3-0 rout exemplified New Zealand’s ODI supremacy on familiar pitches.
ODI Format Summary
Packed with explosive totals and tactical showdowns, ODIs favor Pakistan’s chase artistry abroad, but New Zealand’s 30+ home victories underline their fortress mentality. The 2025 sweep reversed recent narratives, emphasizing spin-pace battles as pivotal.
🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan T20I Matches
Overall Record
| Category | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 49 | 23 | 21 |
Short-form spectacles abound with blistering chases and power-hitting, keeping fans hooked on every boundary.
🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 1st T20I at Christchurch, 16 March 2025
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2025 |
| Venue | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| Date | 16 March 2025 |
| Toss | 🇵🇰 Pakistan won, chose to bat |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 91 all out (18.4 ov) |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 92/1 (10.1 ov) |
| Result | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 9 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Tim Southee (🇳🇿): 4/11 |
Tim Southee’s mesmerizing 4 for 11 spell triggered Pakistan’s shocking collapse to 91, with no batter crossing 20. New Zealand romped to victory in just 10.1 overs, losing only one wicket. This rout launched New Zealand’s 4-1 series conquest, stunning the visitors early.
🇳🇿 New Zealand vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 1st Semi-Final T20WC at Sydney, 9 November 2022
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC T20 World Cup 2022 |
| Venue | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |
| Date | 9 November 2022 |
| Toss | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won, chose to bat |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 152/4 (20 ov) |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 153/3 (19.1 ov) |
| Result | 🇵🇰 Pakistan won by 7 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Mohammad Rizwan (🇵🇰): 57 |
New Zealand recovered from 49 for 3 to post 152 for 4, thanks to Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 53. But Pakistan’s openers Mohammad Rizwan (57) and Babar Azam forged a 105-run partnership, steering a composed chase despite Trent Boult’s two strikes. This semi-final stunner propelled Pakistan to the final, showcasing Rizwan’s cool-headed brilliance.
T20I Format Summary
With 49 clashes, T20Is burst with innovation—Pakistan’s explosive openers versus New Zealand’s death-over specialists. The 2025 series (4-1 to NZ) amplified home dominance, while global stages like the 2022 World Cup deliver chase epics.
Conclusion
This NZ vs PAK timeline weaves tales of grit, genius, and global unity—from the 1955 Lahore deadlock to the 2022 Karachi nail-biter and 2019 Christchurch catharsis. Pakistan’s flair shines in Tests and ODIs, yet New Zealand’s tactical evolution flipped the script in 2025’s home rampage. As young stars rise, expect more chapters of unbridled excitement in this timeless tussle.