The clash between the New Zealand Black Caps and the Pakistan Shaheens is a masterclass in cricketing contrast. It pits Kiwi clinical precision against Pakistani raw flair. From historic World Cup heartbreaks to high-octane modern T20s, this rivalry remains one of the most unpredictable and thrilling spectacles in world sport.
RECENT MATCH HEAD-TO-HEAD
DATE
VENUE
FORMAT
WINNER
MARGIN
21 Feb 2026
Colombo
T20I
No Result
Match Abandoned
04 Apr 2025
Mt Maunganui
ODI
New Zealand
43 Runs
01 Apr 2025
Hamilton
ODI
New Zealand
84 Runs
28 Mar 2025
Napier
ODI
New Zealand
73 Runs
26 Mar 2025
Wellington
T20I
New Zealand
8 Wickets
23 Mar 2025
Mt Maunganui
T20I
New Zealand
115 Runs
21 Mar 2025
Auckland
T20I
Pakistan
9 Wickets
UPCOMING BILATERAL SERIES & TOURS (2026-27)
SERIES / TOUR
DATE
VENUE
FORMATS
New Zealand Tour of England
June 2026
Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Trent Bridge
3 Tests
Pakistan Tour of West Indies
July 2026
Various (West Indies)
2 Tests
Pakistan Tour of England
Aug – Sept 2026
Headingley, Lord’s, Edgbaston
3 Tests
ODI Tri-Series (PAK/ENG/SL)
Oct – Nov 2026
Various (Pakistan)
4 ODIs
Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan
Nov 2026
Various (Pakistan)
2 Tests
New Zealand Tour of India
Dec – Jan 2027
Various (India)
2 Tests
New Zealand Tour of Pakistan
March 2027
Various (Pakistan)
2 Tests
ALL-FORMAT HEAD-TO-HEAD SUMMARY
FORMAT
MATCHES
NZ WON
PAK WON
TIED / DRAW
NO RESULT
Test Matches
62
14
25
23
0
ODIs
115
48
60
1
6
T20Is
50
23
24
0
3
TOTAL
227
85
109
24
9
MOST MEMORABLE MATCHES: EPIC THRILLERS
YEAR
EVENT
MATCH
HIGHLIGHTS
2023
ODI World Cup
PAK won (DLS)
NZ posted a massive 401/6, but Fakhar Zaman’s explosive 126* and rain gave Pakistan a historic victory.
1992
World Cup Semi-Final
PAK won by 4 wkts
A young Inzamam-ul-Haq announced himself to the world, chasing down NZ’s target to send Pakistan to the final.
2025
Bilateral ODI
NZ won by 1 wkt
A nail-biting finish where Maddy Green’s composure led the White Ferns to a win with just 1 wicket and 7 balls left.
2024
T20I Series
NZ won by 4 runs
Will O’Rourke’s brilliant death bowling helped NZ defend 178 by the barest of margins at Gaddafi Stadium.
2023
ODI Series
NZ won by 2 wkts
Glenn Phillips’ heroic 63* under pressure allowed NZ to chase 281 with just 11 balls to spare.
2023
T20I Series
NZ won by 4 runs
Tom Latham led a gritty defence of 163, winning by 4 runs as Pakistan’s chase faltered in the final over.
2019
ODI World Cup
PAK won by 6 wkts
Babar Azam’s masterful century on a tricky Edgbaston pitch kept Pakistan’s tournament hopes alive.
ICC TOURNAMENT HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY
TOURNAMENT
YEAR
WINNER
MARGIN
KEY HIGHLIGHT
T20 World Cup
2026
No Result
Abandoned
Match called off due to rain in Colombo.
Champions Trophy
2025
New Zealand
60 Runs
Tom Latham led NZ to victory in Karachi.
ODI World Cup
2023
Pakistan
21 Runs (DLS)
Fakhar Zaman’s 126* trumped NZ’s 401.
T20 World Cup
2022
Pakistan
7 Wickets
Pakistan won the Semi-Final to reach the final.
T20 World Cup
2021
Pakistan
5 Wickets
Asif Ali’s late blitz secured a group stage win.
ODI World Cup
2019
Pakistan
6 Wickets
Babar Azam’s masterclass century at Edgbaston.
T20 World Cup
2016
New Zealand
22 Runs
Guptill’s 80 set up a solid defense in Mohali.
Champions Trophy
2009
New Zealand
5 Wickets
NZ won the Semi-Final behind Vettori’s bowling.
ODI World Cup
1992
Pakistan
4 Wickets
Inzamam-ul-Haq’s legendary semi-final cameo.
TOP INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE STATS
CATEGORY
PLAYER
RECORD / STATS
FORMAT
Most Runs (All-Time)
Babar Azam (PAK)
2,150+ Runs
All Formats
Most Runs (T20Is)
Babar Azam (PAK)
880 Runs
T20I
Most Runs (Tests)
Kane Williamson (NZ)
1,500+ Runs
Test
Most Wickets (All-Time)
Waqar Younis (PAK)
79 Wickets
ODI/Test
Most Wickets (T20Is)
Haris Rauf (PAK)
40 Wickets
T20I
Highest Indiv. Score
Finn Allen (NZ)
137 Runs (62 balls)
T20I
Highest Indiv. Score
Ross Taylor (NZ)
131 Runs*
ODI
Best Bowling (T20I)
Umar Gul (PAK)
5/6
T20I
Best Bowling (ODI)
Shoaib Akhtar (PAK)
6/16
ODI
Recent Series Hero
Tim Seifert (NZ)
249 Runs (2025 Series)
T20I
STRATEGIC MATCHUPS & SQUAD DYNAMICS
TACTICAL ASPECT
KEY MATCHUP / FOCUS
STRATEGIC IMPACT
Powerplay Battle
Finn Allen vs. Shaheen Afridi
Allen’s aggressive intent against Shaheen’s late swing usually decides the momentum of the first 6 overs.
The Spin Trap
Mitchell Santner vs. Babar Azam
Santner’s ability to “bowl dry” in the middle overs often forces Babar to take risks he normally wouldn’t.
Death Over Blitz
Glenn Phillips vs. Naseem Shah
Phillips’ unconventional hitting vs. Naseem’s reverse-swinging yorkers is the most high-stakes phase of their T20 clashes.
Captaincy Style
Latham (Cerebral) vs. Rizwan (Emotional)
Tom Latham relies on heavy data and field placements; Mohammad Rizwan leads with high energy and gut instinct.
Middle Order Anchor
Kane Williamson vs. Agha Salman
Both players are tasked with rebuilding the innings if early wickets fall, acting as the “glue” for their respective sides.
The Pace Battery
Matt Henry vs. Saim Ayub
Henry’s extra bounce on New Zealand pitches often tests the technical discipline of Pakistan’s young openers.
PACE VS. POWER: THE SPEED KINGS
BOWLER
NATIONALITY
TOP SPEED
MATCH / YEAR
CONTEXT
Shoaib Akhtar
Pakistan
161.3 km/h
vs England (2003)
The all-time world record, though he first hit 161 km/h vs NZ in 2002.
Lockie Ferguson
New Zealand
157.3 km/h
vs various (T20I)
Currently the fastest active bowler in the New Zealand ranks.
Shane Bond
New Zealand
156.4 km/h
vs Australia (2003)
Widely considered the fastest and most lethal bowler in Kiwi history.
Mohammad Sami
Pakistan
156.4 km/h
vs Zimbabwe (2003)
Often hit 155+ km/h during his peak against New Zealand in the early 2000s.
Haris Rauf
Pakistan
155.0 km/h
vs various (2024/25)
The current leader of Pakistan’s T20 pace attack, known for brutal pace.
Adam Milne
New Zealand
153.2 km/h
vs Pakistan (2024)
Frequently clocks 150+ km/h in the T20 powerplays.
Naseem Shah
Pakistan
150.0 km/h
vs New Zealand (2025)
Known for high-velocity swing and express pace at a young age.
THE FINAL VERDICT
While Pakistan historically dominates the record books, New Zealand has transformed into a modern powerhouse that often outclasses them in tactical execution. Currently, the rivalry is perfectly balanced; Pakistan possesses the higher ceiling for individual brilliance, but the Black Caps’ superior discipline makes them the favorites in high-pressure tournament situations.
