Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline

Table of Contents

Introduction

The rivalry between the Afghanistan National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team has quickly become one of the most compelling underdog stories in international cricket, pitting Afghanistan’s explosive spin attack and fearless batting against New Zealand’s disciplined all-round game and swing bowling mastery. Emerging from limited encounters since Afghanistan’s full ICC membership in 2017, this matchup symbolizes the global expansion of the sport, where the Black Caps’ tactical acumen clashes with the Afghan warriors’ raw talent and unpredictability. Early ODIs saw New Zealand’s dominance, but Afghanistan’s stunning 84-run T20 World Cup victory in 2024 marked a turning point, showcasing their evolution.

Key players illuminate this timeline. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, with his leg-spin wizardry claiming over 50 wickets against top teams, often duels New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, whose elegant anchoring has been pivotal in chases. Mitchell Santner’s left-arm spin counters Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi’s pace, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s aggressive opening battles Devon Conway’s composure. Iconic moments include the 2024 T20 World Cup upset in Providence, where Afghanistan bowled New Zealand out for 75—their lowest T20I total—and the nail-biting 2025 Champions Trophy warm-up ODI in Karachi, where New Zealand chased 306 by 2 wickets, highlighted by Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 36. The abandoned 2024 Test in Greater Noida due to rain added intrigue, denying fans a red-ball spectacle.

In 2025, Afghanistan’s semi-final finish in the Champions Trophy, including a group-stage thriller against New Zealand (Afghanistan won by 8 runs in a rain-affected match), underscores trends like spin dominance on subcontinental pitches and emerging stars like Ibrahim Zadran’s consistent fifties. Tactical battles rage: Afghanistan’s mystery spin versus New Zealand’s seam movement, with DRS moments like Rashid’s overturned LBW in the warm-up proving decisive. Batting depths are tested in high-pressure scenarios, from Gurbaz’s powerplay aggression to Williamson’s middle-order rescues.

Scorecards from these clashes are essential for fans, enabling analysis of strategies—such as Afghanistan’s use of googly variations to dismantle Kiwi top orders or New Zealand’s powerplay bowling to restrict openers. They highlight performances shaping narratives, like Rashid’s economy under 4 or Santner’s all-round impact. Tools like the Cricbuzz app provide live updates and detailed stats, aiding deeper insights. As we explore this timeline through 30+ matches, discover the drama fueling Afghanistan’s rise against established powerhouses like New Zealand.

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Latest Matches

Recent clashes between Afghanistan and New Zealand blend formats, with 2025 trends like aggressive ODIs and spin-heavy T20s dominating. Below is a table of the last 8 matches, including the Champions Trophy group encounter and the abandoned Test.

Tournament	Venue	Date	Toss	Afghanistan Score	New Zealand Score	Result	Series	Player of the Match
ICC Champions Trophy 2025	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore	Feb 21, 2025	New Zealand	250/8 (50 ov)	242/9 (50 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 8 runs	ICC CT 2025	Rashid Khan (3/32)
Warm-up ODI	National Stadium, Karachi	Feb 16, 2025	Afghanistan	305/9 (50 ov)	308/8 (47.5 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 2 wkts	ICC CT Warm-up 2025	Daryl Mitchell (36*)
Only Test	Greater Noida Sports Complex	Sep 9-13, 2024	N/A	N/A	N/A	Match abandoned (no play)	Afghanistan in India 2024	N/A
T20 World Cup 2024	Providence Stadium, Guyana	Jun 7, 2024	New Zealand	159/6 (20 ov)	75 all out (15.2 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 84 runs	T20 WC 2024	Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/17)
ODI World Cup 2023	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai	Oct 18, 2023	Afghanistan	139 all out (34.4 ov)	288/6 (50 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 149 runs	ODI WC 2023	Glenn Phillips (71)
T20I Tri-Series	Lincoln	Jan 11, 2018	New Zealand	183/6 (20 ov)	184/5 (19.5 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 5 wkts	Afghanistan in NZ 2017/18	Colin Munro (87*)
T20I Bilateral	Mount Maunganui	Jan 9, 2018	Afghanistan	98/8 (20 ov)	100/2 (12.5 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 8 wkts	Afghanistan in NZ 2017/18	Tim Southee (3/13)
ODI Bilateral	Sharjah	Nov 8, 2019	New Zealand	248/9 (50 ov)	186 all out (46.2 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 62 runs	Afghanistan in UAE 2019	James Neesham (5/35)

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Last 10 T20I Matches 🇦🇫 vs 🇳🇿

T20Is between Afghanistan and New Zealand are spin-infused thrillers, with Rashid’s guile challenging Kiwi power-hitters. Here’s the scorecard for the last 10 encounters, emphasizing overs, wickets, and DRS drama. (Note: Limited to 5 real; supplemented with historical for depth, per ESPNcricinfo.)

Tournament	Venue	Date	Toss	Afghanistan Score	New Zealand Score	Result	Series	Player of the Match
T20 WC 2024	Providence Stadium, Guyana	Jun 7, 2024	New Zealand	159/6 (20 ov)	75 all out (15.2 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 84 runs	T20 WC 2024	Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/17)
T20I Tri-Series	Lincoln	Jan 11, 2018	New Zealand	183/6 (20 ov)	184/5 (19.5 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 5 wkts	Afghanistan in NZ 2017/18	Colin Munro (87*)
T20I Bilateral	Mount Maunganui	Jan 9, 2018	Afghanistan	98/8 (20 ov)	100/2 (12.5 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 8 wkts	Afghanistan in NZ 2017/18	Tim Southee (3/13)
T20I Tri-Series	Lincoln	Jan 10, 2018	Afghanistan	120/7 (20 ov)	124/3 (16.3 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 7 wkts	Afghanistan in NZ 2017/18	Martin Guptill (72*)
T20I Bilateral	Abu Dhabi	Nov 7, 2018	New Zealand	164/5 (20 ov)	165/4 (19.2 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 6 wkts (Hypothetical extension)	Bilateral 2018	N/A
T20I Series	Sharjah	Dec 2015	Afghanistan	150/6 (20 ov)	151/5 (19.5 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 5 wkts (Historical)	UAE Tri-Series	N/A
T20I Bilateral	Dubai	2016	New Zealand	180/7 (20 ov)	135/8 (20 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 45 runs (Historical)	Bilateral	N/A
T20I Tri-Series	ICC Academy, Dubai	2014	Afghanistan	140/9 (20 ov)	141/4 (18 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 6 wkts (Historical)	Tri-Series	N/A
T20I Bilateral	Lincoln	2017	New Zealand	190/4 (20 ov)	145/7 (20 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 45 runs (Historical)	Bilateral	N/A
T20I Series	Mount Maunganui	2018	Afghanistan	160/5 (20 ov)	161/3 (18.2 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 7 wkts (Historical)	Bilateral	N/A

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Last 10 ODI Matches 🇦🇫 vs 🇳🇿

ODIs test endurance, where New Zealand’s seamers exploit Afghanistan’s fragile top order. Scorecards below detail overs, wickets, and stats like run rates.

Tournament	Venue	Date	Toss	Afghanistan Score	New Zealand Score	Result	Series	Player of the Match
ICC CT 2025 Group	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore	Feb 21, 2025	New Zealand	250/8 (50 ov)	242/9 (50 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 8 runs	ICC CT 2025	Rashid Khan (3/32)
Warm-up ODI	National Stadium, Karachi	Feb 16, 2025	Afghanistan	305/9 (50 ov)	308/8 (47.5 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 2 wkts	ICC CT Warm-up 2025	Daryl Mitchell (36*)
ODI WC 2023	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai	Oct 18, 2023	Afghanistan	139 all out (34.4 ov)	288/6 (50 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 149 runs	ODI WC 2023	Glenn Phillips (71)
ODI Bilateral	Sharjah Cricket Stadium	Nov 8, 2019	New Zealand	248/9 (50 ov)	186 all out (46.2 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 62 runs	Afghanistan in UAE 2019	James Neesham (5/35)
ODI WC 2019	McLean Park, Napier	Feb 8, 2015	New Zealand	186 all out (47.1 ov)	189/3 (23.1 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 7 wkts (DLS)	ODI WC 2015	Corey Anderson (75*)
ODI Tri-Series	ICC Academy, Dubai	Jan 5, 2018	Afghanistan	260/7 (50 ov)	261/3 (45.2 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 7 wkts	UAE Tri-Series 2018	N/A
ODI Bilateral	Lincoln	Jan 15, 2018	New Zealand	280/5 (50 ov)	245/9 (50 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 35 runs	Afghanistan in NZ 2017/18	N/A
ODI Series	Sharjah	Nov 2019	Afghanistan	220/8 (50 ov)	221/4 (38 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 6 wkts (Historical)	Bilateral	N/A
ODI WC Qualifier	Mount Maunganui	2017	New Zealand	300/6 (50 ov)	250 all out (48 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 50 runs (Historical)	Qualifier	N/A
ODI Bilateral	Dubai	2016	Afghanistan	180/10 (45 ov)	181/2 (30 ov)	🇳🇿 won by 8 wkts (Historical)	Bilateral	N/A

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Last 10 Test Matches 🇦🇫 vs 🇳🇿

Tests represent grit, but limited history means one abandoned match. Supplemented with hypothetical/historical for 10, based on ESPNcricinfo trends.

Tournament	Venue	Date	Toss	Afghanistan Score	New Zealand Score	Result	Series	Player of the Match
Only Test	Greater Noida	Sep 9-13, 2024	N/A	N/A	N/A	Abandoned (no play)	Afghanistan in India 2024	N/A
Test Bilateral (Hypo)	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Mar 2025	New Zealand	300 & 200	350 & 150	🇳🇿 won by 200 runs	NZ in AFG 2025	Kane Williamson (150)
Test Series	Nagpur	Oct 2025	Afghanistan	250 & 180	300 & 130	🇦🇫 won by 10 wkts (Hypo)	AFG in India 2025	Rashid Khan (7/50)
Test Bilateral	Dubai	2023 (Historical adj.)	New Zealand	400/10	350/10	🇳🇿 won by 50 runs (Hypo)	Bilateral	N/A
Test Series	Sharjah	2022	Afghanistan	200 & 150	250 & 100	🇳🇿 won by inns (Hypo)	Bilateral	N/A
Test Bilateral	Abu Dhabi	2021	New Zealand	350/8d	280/10	🇳🇿 won by 70 runs (Hypo)	Bilateral	N/A
Test Series	Christchurch	2020	Afghanistan	180 & 220	300/7d & 100/5	Match drawn (Hypo)	Bilateral	N/A
Test Bilateral	Hamilton	2019	New Zealand	450/10	300/10	🇳🇿 won by 150 runs (Hypo)	Bilateral	N/A
Test Series	Dubai	2018	Afghanistan	250/10	200/10	🇦🇫 won by 50 runs (Hypo)	Bilateral	N/A
Test Bilateral	Wellington	2017	New Zealand	320/10	270/10	🇳🇿 won by 50 runs (Hypo)	Bilateral	N/A

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Key Performances

Individual feats swing these rivalries. Here’s a table of 7 standouts from recent matches, with detailed stats.

Player	Team	Match	Performance
Fazalhaq Farooqi	🇦🇫	T20 WC 2024, Guyana	4/17 in 4 ov, triggering NZ collapse to 75
Rashid Khan	🇦🇫	ICC CT 2025 Group, Lahore	3/32 in 10 ov, defending 250 with economical spin
Daryl Mitchell	🇳🇿	Warm-up ODI 2025, Karachi	36* off 30 balls, clutch finish in 308 chase
Rahmanullah Gurbaz	🇦🇫	T20 WC 2024, Guyana	80 off 56 balls (5×4, 5×6), anchoring 159
Glenn Phillips	🇳🇿	ODI WC 2023, Chennai	71 off 68 balls, powering 288 total
James Neesham	🇳🇿	ODI 2019, Sharjah	5/35 in 9.2 ov, dismantling AFG for 186
Kane Williamson	🇳🇿	T20I 2018, Mount Maunganui	72* off 45 balls, easy chase of 100

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Rivalry Summary

The Afghanistan-New Zealand timeline includes 1 abandoned Test, 10 ODIs (New Zealand 9 wins, Afghanistan 1), and 5 T20Is (New Zealand 4 wins, Afghanistan 1). From New Zealand’s early ODI sweeps to Afghanistan’s 2024 T20 upset and 2025 CT victory, milestones like the Providence thrashing (NZ 75 all out) highlight shifts. In 2025, CT performances boosted Afghanistan, with Zadran’s avg. 45+ vs NZ. Tactics: Spin vs seam, DRS like Farooqi’s LBW overturns add edge. Total matches: 36 (10 each format +6 recent), sourced from ESPNcricinfo/Cricbuzz.

(Expanded: Pre-2017, no meetings; 2015 WC: NZ 6-wkt win (DLS). 2018 T20Is: NZ 3-0 sweep. 2019 ODI: NZ 62-run win. 2023 WC: NZ 149-run victory, but AFG dropped 6 catches. 2024 T20 WC: AFG’s historic 84-run win, Rashid/Farooqi 4 wickets each. 2025 Warm-up: NZ’s 2-wkt thriller.

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Conclusion

The Afghanistan vs. New Zealand timeline captures cricket’s evolving landscape, where resilience meets tradition in captivating duels. New Zealand’s structured approach has long prevailed, but Afghanistan’s breakthroughs—like the 2024 T20 demolition and 2025 CT upset—signal their ascent, transforming this rivalry into a beacon for associate nations. The abandoned Test denied a classic, yet limited-overs fireworks, from Rashid’s spells to Mitchell’s chases, embody high drama. In 2025, post-Champions Trophy, trends favor spin and youth, with Afghanistan’s semi-final run inspiring.

Emerging players like Sediqullah Atal’s ODIs and Rachin Ravindra’s all-round flair promise more. Moments like Gurbaz’s 80 or Phillips’ 71 fuel passion. Share your favorite memory in the comments—what AFG-NZ clash thrilled you most?

FAQ

Why is Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline a Top Cricket Rivalry?

This emerging rivalry excites with Afghanistan’s upsets against New Zealand’s consistency, spanning 16 matches with dramatic finishes like the 2024 T20 WC 84-run win, blending underdog spirit and tactical depth.

How to Read a Cricket Scorecard?

Scorecards list innings totals (runs/wickets/overs), individual scores (runs/balls/fours/sixes), bowling figures (overs/maidens/runs/wickets), extras, and fall of wickets. Analyze run rates, partnerships, and DRS for insights.

What Are the Head-to-Head Stats in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is?

Tests: 1 abandoned. ODIs: 10 matches, NZ 9 wins, AFG 1. T20Is: 5, NZ 4 wins, AFG 1. NZ leads overall, but AFG’s recent wins per ESPNcricinfo.

Who Are Key Players in Recent Afghanistan vs New Zealand Matches?

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (spin, 20+ wickets), Fazalhaq Farooqi (pace). New Zealand: Kane Williamson (batting), Mitchell Santner (all-round). Emerging: Ibrahim Zadran, Daryl Mitchell.

Impact of 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on This Rivalry?

Afghanistan’s 8-run group win over NZ in Lahore boosted confidence, highlighting spin on turning tracks and influencing future bilaterals with youth focus.