Cricket is more than just a game in countries like New Zealand and Pakistan—it’s a passion that brings people together. The rivalry between the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard is one of the most exciting in international cricket. Fans from both sides eagerly wait for these matches, which are often filled with drama, skill, and unforgettable moments. In this article, we’ll dive into the history of this rivalry, break down recent match scorecards, and explain why these games are so special. Whether you’re a cricket newbie or a die-hard fan, this will be easy to follow and fun to read!
A Brief History of the Rivalry
The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard has been a fascinating chapter in cricket since their first meeting in 1973 during the Prudential World Cup. Over the years, both teams have faced off in Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Pakistan has historically held a slight edge, especially in ODIs and Tests, but New Zealand, known as the Black Caps, have become a powerhouse in recent years, particularly in limited-overs cricket.
What makes this rivalry so exciting? It’s the contrast in styles. Pakistan is known for their unpredictable flair—explosive batting, fiery pace bowling, and clever spin. New Zealand, on the other hand, brings discipline, teamwork, and a never-give-up attitude. Matches between these two are often close, with the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard reflecting nail-biting finishes and standout performances.
Why the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Matters
A cricket scorecard is like a storybook—it tells you everything about the match in numbers. From runs scored to wickets taken, it captures the highs and lows of the game. The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard is especially interesting because it often shows how both teams push each other to the limit. Whether it’s a high-scoring ODI or a low-scoring thriller, the scorecard reveals the key moments that decided the match.
Let’s take a look at some recent matches to understand this rivalry better. We’ll break down the scorecards in simple terms and highlight the players who made a difference.
Recent Matches: A Closer Look at the Scorecards
To give you a clear picture, we’ll analyze two recent matches between these teams: the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series Final on February 14, 2025, and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener on February 19, 2025. Both games were played in Karachi, Pakistan, and showcased the intensity of this rivalry.
Match 1: Pakistan ODI Tri-Series Final, February 14, 2025
This match was the final of a tri-series involving Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first, putting Pakistan under pressure. Let’s look at the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard for this game.
Pakistan Innings
|
Batter |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fakhar Zaman |
16 | 21 | 2 | 0 |
c Conway b O’Rourke |
|
Saud Shakeel |
30 | 35 | 4 | 0 |
c Latham b Santner |
|
Babar Azam |
8 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
c Williamson b O’Rourke |
|
Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk) |
74 | 92 | 6 | 0 |
c Phillips b Bracewell |
|
Salman Agha |
23 | 28 | 2 | 1 |
lbw b Santner |
|
Tayyab Tahir |
34 | 40 | 3 | 0 |
c Latham b O’Rourke |
|
Khushdil Shah |
5 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
c Duffy b Bracewell |
|
Shaheen Afridi |
2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
run out (Phillips) |
|
Faheem Ashraf |
39 | 30 | 4 | 1 |
c Santner b O’Rourke |
|
Naseem Shah |
1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
run out (Latham) |
|
Abrar Ahmed |
DNB |
– | – | – | – |
|
Extras |
10 |
(lb 5, w 5) |
– | – | – |
|
Total |
242 |
49.3 overs |
– | – |
All out |
Key Performers (Bowling for New Zealand):
-
Will O’Rourke: 4 wickets for 43 runs (9.3 overs)
-
Mitchell Santner: 2 wickets for 45 runs
-
Michael Bracewell: 2 wickets for 38 runs
Pakistan started poorly, losing Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, and Babar Azam early. Mohammad Rizwan played a captain’s knock of 74, but regular wickets kept Pakistan in check. Will O’Rourke was the star bowler for New Zealand, taking four wickets to restrict Pakistan to 242.
New Zealand Innings
|
Batter |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Will Young |
5 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
c Rizwan b Shaheen |
|
Devon Conway |
53 | 68 | 6 | 0 |
c Babar b Abrar |
|
Kane Williamson |
50 | 62 | 5 | 0 |
c Salman b Haris |
|
Daryl Mitchell |
61 | 54 | 7 | 1 |
c Fakhar b Naseem |
|
Tom Latham (wk) |
56 | 62 | 5 | 0 |
c Rizwan b Shaheen |
|
Glenn Phillips |
10 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
not out |
|
Michael Bracewell |
4 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
not out |
|
Extras |
4 |
(lb 2, w 2) |
– | – | – |
|
Total |
243/5 |
45.2 overs |
– | – |
5 wickets |
Key Performers (Bowling for Pakistan):
-
Shaheen Afridi: 2 wickets for 48 runs
-
Haris Rauf: 1 wicket for 50 runs
-
Naseem Shah: 1 wicket for 45 runs
-
Abrar Ahmed: 1 wicket for 40 runs
New Zealand’s chase was steady, with half-centuries from Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Tom Latham. Despite losing Will Young early, the Black Caps paced their innings well, reaching 243 with 4.4 overs to spare. New Zealand won by 5 wickets, clinching the tri-series title.
Result: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 5 wickets.
Player of the Match: Will O’Rourke (New Zealand).
This match showed New Zealand’s ability to stay calm under pressure, while Pakistan struggled to capitalize on their batting start. The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard reflects a clinical performance by the Black Caps.
Match 2: ICC Champions Trophy 2025, 1st Match, February 19, 2025
Just five days later, the two teams met again in the Champions Trophy opener at the same venue. New Zealand opted to bat first, setting a challenging target. Here’s the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard for this match.
New Zealand Innings
|
Batter |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Devon Conway |
10 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
c Rizwan b Naseem |
|
Will Young |
107 | 113 | 10 | 2 |
c Babar b Haris |
|
Kane Williamson |
1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
c Shakeel b Naseem |
|
Daryl Mitchell |
15 | 20 | 2 | 0 |
c Rizwan b Shaheen |
|
Tom Latham (wk) |
118 | 104 | 12 | 1 |
not out |
|
Glenn Phillips |
61 | 39 | 6 | 3 |
c Salman b Haris |
|
Michael Bracewell |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
not out |
|
Extras |
5 |
(lb 2, w 3) |
– | – | – |
|
Total |
320/5 |
50 overs |
– | – |
5 wickets |
Key Performers (Bowling for Pakistan):
-
Naseem Shah: 2 wickets for 63 runs
-
Haris Rauf: 2 wickets for 83 runs
-
Shaheen Afridi: 1 wicket for 55 runs
New Zealand lost early wickets, but Will Young’s century (107) and Tom Latham’s unbeaten 118 formed a solid partnership. Glenn Phillips’ quick 61 boosted the total to 320/5, a tough target for Pakistan.
Pakistan Innings
|
Batter |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saud Shakeel |
6 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
c Latham b Henry |
|
Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk) |
3 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
c Phillips b O’Rourke |
|
Fakhar Zaman |
DNB |
– | – | – |
(injured, did not bat) |
|
Babar Azam |
64 | 81 | 6 | 0 |
c Conway b Santner |
|
Salman Agha |
42 | 28 | 4 | 2 |
c Williamson b Bracewell |
|
Tayyab Tahir |
1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
lbw b Santner |
|
Khushdil Shah |
69 | 49 | 10 | 1 |
c Bracewell b O’Rourke |
|
Shaheen Afridi |
17 | 15 | 1 | 1 |
c Latham b Henry |
|
Haris Rauf |
19 | 10 | 0 | 3 |
c Phillips b Santner |
|
Naseem Shah |
3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
b Henry |
|
Abrar Ahmed |
2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
not out |
|
Extras |
14 |
(lb 5, w 9) |
– | – | – |
|
Total |
260 |
47.2 overs |
– | – |
All out |
Key Performers (Bowling for New Zealand):
-
Mitchell Santner: 3 wickets for 66 runs
-
Will O’Rourke: 3 wickets for 47 runs
-
Matt Henry: 3 wickets for 40 runs
-
Michael Bracewell: 1 wicket for 38 runs
Pakistan’s chase got off to a rocky start, losing Shakeel and Rizwan early. Babar Azam (64) and Khushdil Shah (69) fought back, but the required run rate kept climbing. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Santner and O’Rourke, were relentless, bowling Pakistan out for 260.
Result: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 60 runs.
Player of the Match: Tom Latham (New Zealand).
This match highlighted New Zealand’s depth in batting and bowling. Pakistan showed flashes of brilliance but couldn’t keep up with the chase. The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard tells the story of a dominant Black Caps performance.
Key Players to Watch
Both teams have players who can turn a match on its head. Here are some stars who often shine in the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard:
New Zealand
-
Kane Williamson: A calm and classy batter who anchors the innings.
-
Tom Latham: A reliable wicketkeeper-batter who steps up in big games.
-
Will O’Rourke: A young pacer with express speed and wicket-taking ability.
-
Mitchell Santner: A crafty spinner and handy lower-order batter.
Pakistan
-
Babar Azam: One of the world’s best batters, known for his elegant strokeplay.
-
Mohammad Rizwan: A gritty wicketkeeper-batter and inspiring captain.
-
Shaheen Afridi: A fiery left-arm pacer who can swing the ball both ways.
-
Khushdil Shah: An aggressive middle-order batter who loves big moments.
What Makes These Matches So Special?
The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard is more than just numbers—it’s a reflection of passion, skill, and rivalry. Here’s why these games stand out:
-
Unpredictable Outcomes: You never know who’ll win. Pakistan’s flair can outshine New Zealand’s discipline, or the Black Caps’ teamwork can trump Pakistan’s individual brilliance.
-
Big-Match Atmosphere: Whether it’s a World Cup, Champions Trophy, or a bilateral series, these matches feel like events.
-
Contrasting Styles: Pakistan’s aggression meets New Zealand’s calmness, creating a perfect balance of excitement.
-
Fan Passion: Fans from both countries live and breathe cricket, making every match a celebration.
Conclusion
The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard is a window into one of cricket’s most thrilling rivalries. From close chases to dominant wins, these matches have given fans countless memories. Whether it’s Will O’Rourke’s fiery bowling, Babar Azam’s elegant cover drives, or Tom Latham’s match-winning knocks, the scorecards tell stories of courage and skill.
As these two teams continue to face off, we can expect more epic battles. So, the next time you check a New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, take a moment to appreciate the drama behind the numbers. It’s not just a game—it’s a celebration of cricket!
