Table of Contents
The rivalry between the Zimbabwe national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team has produced several memorable international cricket matches across Test, One Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20I) formats. New Zealand have generally dominated this contest, but Zimbabwe have also recorded important ODI victories, including a famous win during their home series in 2015.
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Stats provide an overview of their head-to-head records, match results, batting performances, bowling achievements, and most significant encounters. The two teams have met in different conditions, from Zimbabwe’s home grounds in Harare and Bulawayo to international venues in New Zealand and neutral locations.
New Zealand’s stronger record reflects their consistency across formats, while Zimbabwe’s victories demonstrate their ability to compete against established international teams. Their Test meetings have often featured dominant performances from New Zealand, whereas ODI cricket has delivered some of the rivalry’s most competitive moments.
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Stats
The overall head-to-head record shows New Zealand ahead in all three major international formats. Based on available records through their 2025 meetings, the teams have played 65 matches across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
| Format | Matches | New Zealand Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | Drawn, Tied or No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test cricket | 19 | 13 | 0 | 6 draws |
| ODI cricket | 38 | 27 | 9 | 1 tie, 1 no result |
| T20I cricket | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 65 | 48 | 9 | 8 |
These figures show New Zealand’s clear advantage in the rivalry. Zimbabwe’s nine victories have come in ODIs, while New Zealand remain unbeaten against Zimbabwe in Tests and T20Is according to the available head-to-head records. The format-specific figures are reported by MyKhel and other cricket-record sources. MyKhel Test records and ODI records.
Test Match Records: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand
Test cricket has been the most challenging format for Zimbabwe in this matchup. Across 19 Test meetings, New Zealand have won 13 matches, while six have ended in draws. Zimbabwe have not registered a Test victory against New Zealand in the recorded head-to-head series.
New Zealand’s advantage has often come from their batting depth, disciplined fast bowling, and ability to build pressure over multiple innings. Zimbabwe have had periods of resistance, but converting competitive sessions into a complete Test victory has remained difficult.
| Test Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Test matches | 19 |
| New Zealand wins | 13 |
| Zimbabwe wins | 0 |
| Draws | 6 |
| Most recent Test series covered here | 2025 |
One of the most dominant performances came during New Zealand’s 2025 tour of Zimbabwe. In the second Test at Bulawayo, New Zealand won by an innings and 359 runs after declaring their first innings at 601/3. Zimbabwe made 125 and 117 in their two innings. This result highlighted the difference in batting output and sustained bowling pressure between the sides. Match scorecard and head-to-head summary.
The first Test of that 2025 series also went New Zealand’s way, with the visitors winning by nine wickets. The back-to-back results strengthened New Zealand’s already substantial lead in the Test rivalry.
ODI Head-to-Head Records
One Day International cricket has provided Zimbabwe with their greatest opportunities to challenge New Zealand. The teams have played 38 ODIs, with New Zealand winning 27 and Zimbabwe winning nine. One match ended in a tie, while another produced no result.
| ODI Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total matches | 38 |
| New Zealand wins | 27 |
| Zimbabwe wins | 9 |
| Tied matches | 1 |
| No-result matches | 1 |
New Zealand’s ODI record reflects their greater consistency over the years, but Zimbabwe’s nine victories show that the contest has not always been one-sided. Zimbabwe have sometimes used familiar home conditions and aggressive top-order batting to put New Zealand under pressure.
Zimbabwe’s Memorable ODI Victory in 2015
One of the most memorable matches took place in Harare on 2 August 2015. Zimbabwe chased down New Zealand’s total of 303/4, reaching 304/3 to win by seven wickets with six balls remaining. The successful chase was a major achievement because New Zealand had posted a substantial total.
The result demonstrated Zimbabwe’s ability to compete with a high-scoring international side when their batters built partnerships and maintained the required scoring rate. It remains an important example of why ODI cricket has offered Zimbabwe more success against New Zealand than the other formats.
New Zealand responded by winning the next two ODIs of that series. They won the second match by ten wickets and the third by 38 runs, showing their ability to recover quickly after a defeat. ODI head-to-head records and match history and series results.
T20 International Stats: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand
T20I cricket has been particularly challenging for Zimbabwe in this rivalry. The teams have played eight T20 internationals in the available head-to-head record, with New Zealand winning all eight.
| T20I Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total matches | 8 |
| New Zealand wins | 8 |
| Zimbabwe wins | 0 |
| Tied matches | 0 |
| No-result matches | 0 |
The shorter format demands quick scoring, efficient death bowling, and strong decision-making under pressure. New Zealand have generally managed these requirements more effectively in matches against Zimbabwe.
T20I Matches in the 2025 Tri-Series
Zimbabwe and New Zealand met during the 2025 T20I tri-series in Harare, which also featured South Africa. New Zealand won their match on 18 July by eight wickets after restricting Zimbabwe to 120/7. The visitors then chased the target with plenty of wickets remaining.
In their 24 July meeting, Zimbabwe were dismissed for 130, while New Zealand scored 190/6 and won by 60 runs. These results demonstrated New Zealand’s ability to control both the bowling and batting phases of a T20 match. 2025 match results.
New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi also produced a notable performance during the tri-series, taking four wickets for 12 runs in a separate match against Zimbabwe. His figures illustrated the impact a quality spinner can have during the powerplay and middle overs. Reuters report.
Recent Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Match Results
Recent meetings have reinforced New Zealand’s dominance across formats. The teams faced each other in a T20I tri-series and a two-match Test series in Zimbabwe in 2025.
| Date | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 18 July 2025 | T20I | New Zealand won by 8 wickets |
| 24 July 2025 | T20I | New Zealand won by 60 runs |
| 30 July 2025 | Test | New Zealand won by 9 wickets |
| August 2025 | Test | New Zealand won by an innings and 359 runs |
The results show New Zealand succeeding through different match situations. In T20Is, they chased a modest target comfortably and defended a much larger total. In Tests, their batting produced substantial totals, while their bowlers dismissed Zimbabwe twice in the second match.
Zimbabwe will need greater consistency with both bat and ball to reverse this pattern in future meetings. Competitive starts alone are not enough; the team must sustain pressure through the middle overs in limited-overs cricket and across full innings in Tests.
Key Players and Performance Factors
Individual performances have often influenced the outcome of Zimbabwe versus New Zealand matches. Although exact leading-player rankings can change as more games are played, several areas help explain the difference between the teams.
New Zealand’s batting depth: New Zealand have repeatedly built large totals in Test cricket. The 601/3 declared in the second Test of 2025 is a clear example of their ability to bat for long periods and place the opposition under pressure.
New Zealand’s bowling variety: The team have used pace, swing, and spin to challenge Zimbabwe’s batters. Ish Sodhi’s four-wicket performance in the 2025 tri-series showed how spin can create breakthroughs even in the high-scoring T20 format.
Zimbabwe’s ODI batting potential: Zimbabwe’s successful chase of 304 in 2015 remains an example of their ability to produce a strong collective batting performance. Their ODI victories have shown that a well-built innings can challenge New Zealand’s bowlers.
Partnerships and fielding: Both teams need to turn individual contributions into match-winning partnerships. In limited-overs cricket, saving runs in the field and taking wickets at key moments can change a match quickly.
Biggest Wins in Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Matches
New Zealand’s largest victories in this rivalry have come in Test cricket, where a dominant batting performance can create a substantial lead before the bowling side takes control.
The most striking recent example is the innings-and-359-run victory in the second Test of 2025. New Zealand declared at 601/3 and then dismissed Zimbabwe for 125 and 117. It was a commanding all-round performance and one of the clearest illustrations of the difference between the teams in the longest format.
In limited-overs cricket, New Zealand have also won by significant margins. Their 60-run victory in the 2025 T20I tri-series came after they scored 190/6 and bowled Zimbabwe out for 130. The result showed the importance of combining a competitive total with disciplined bowling.
Zimbabwe’s standout result remains their seven-wicket ODI win in 2015, when they chased 304/4. It underlined that, despite New Zealand’s overall lead, Zimbabwe can still produce outstanding performances on their day.
Why New Zealand Have the Better Head-to-Head Record
Several factors explain New Zealand’s advantage in the Zimbabwe versus New Zealand stats.
First, New Zealand have generally shown greater consistency across all three formats. Their ability to adapt to different match conditions has helped them maintain a strong record in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Second, New Zealand’s batting depth has enabled them to recover from early wickets and build substantial totals. The difference is particularly visible in Test cricket, where large first-innings scores create opportunities to control the match.
Third, their bowling attack has offered multiple ways to take wickets. Seam bowlers can exploit movement and bounce, while spinners can control the scoring rate and create pressure in the middle overs.
Zimbabwe’s best route to improvement is to build partnerships, reduce avoidable dismissals, and make better use of home conditions. Their ODI victories prove that they can compete when their batting and bowling units perform together.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many matches have Zimbabwe and New Zealand played across formats?
The available head-to-head records through their 2025 meetings list 65 matches across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is: 19 Tests, 38 ODIs, and eight T20Is.
2. How many Test matches has Zimbabwe won against New Zealand?
Zimbabwe have not won a Test against New Zealand in the recorded head-to-head series. New Zealand have won 13 of the 19 matches, while six have ended in draws.
3. Who has won more ODIs between Zimbabwe and New Zealand?
New Zealand have won 27 of their 38 ODIs against Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe have won nine, with one tied match and one no-result match.
4. Has Zimbabwe ever defeated New Zealand in an ODI?
Yes. Zimbabwe have recorded nine ODI victories against New Zealand. One notable result came in August 2015, when Zimbabwe chased 304/4 and won by seven wickets.
5. What was New Zealand’s biggest recent Test victory against Zimbabwe?
In the second Test at Bulawayo in August 2025, New Zealand won by an innings and 359 runs. They declared their first innings at 601/3 before dismissing Zimbabwe for 125 and 117.
Conclusion
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Stats show a rivalry dominated by New Zealand, particularly in Test and T20I cricket. New Zealand lead the Test record with 13 wins and no defeats, have won 27 of 38 ODIs, and remain unbeaten in the eight T20Is listed in the available records.
Zimbabwe’s nine ODI victories demonstrate that the contest can still produce competitive and memorable matches. Their successful 304-run chase in 2015 stands out as an example of what the team can achieve with disciplined batting and strong partnerships.
New Zealand’s consistency, batting depth, and bowling variety have been the main reasons for their overall advantage. Future meetings will give Zimbabwe further opportunities to challenge that record and create new highlights in this international rivalry.
