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The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team matches have produced some memorable moments in international cricket. Although New Zealand has traditionally enjoyed the advantage in this rivalry, Afghanistan has emerged as a dangerous opponent, particularly in T20 cricket, where its aggressive batting and world-class spin bowling can challenge any team.
The two sides have met in ICC Cricket World Cups, T20 World Cups, and other international fixtures. Their encounters have featured convincing New Zealand victories, Afghanistan’s historic breakthrough in 2024, and a remarkable T20 World Cup contest in February 2026.
One of the most significant matches occurred on June 7, 2024, when Afghanistan defeated New Zealand by 84 runs in the T20 World Cup. Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi took four wickets each, helping dismiss New Zealand for just 75 runs.
New Zealand responded with a memorable victory in their February 8, 2026, T20 World Cup meeting, chasing Afghanistan’s 182/6 to win by five wickets.
This article covers the complete timeline of major Afghanistan versus New Zealand matches, important results, head-to-head records, standout players, and the moments that have shaped the rivalry.
Afghanistan vs New Zealand Matches: Timeline at a Glance
Afghanistan and New Zealand have met in multiple ICC tournaments since their first ODI World Cup encounter in 2015. New Zealand won their first three completed ODI meetings, while Afghanistan’s historic T20I victory in 2024 changed the narrative of the rivalry.
The following table summarizes their major senior international encounters and a notable warm-up match.
| Date | Tournament or format | Afghanistan score | New Zealand score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 8, 2015 | ODI World Cup | 186 all out | 188/4 | New Zealand won by 6 wickets |
| June 8, 2019 | ODI World Cup | 172 all out | 173/3 | New Zealand won by 7 wickets |
| November 7, 2021 | T20 World Cup | 124/8 | 125/2 | New Zealand won by 8 wickets |
| October 26, 2022 | T20 World Cup | — | — | Match abandoned without a ball bowled |
| October 18, 2023 | ODI World Cup | 139 all out | 288/6 | New Zealand won by 149 runs |
| June 7, 2024 | T20 World Cup | 159/6 | 75 all out | Afghanistan won by 84 runs |
| September 9–13, 2024 | Test match | No play | No play | Match abandoned |
| February 16, 2025 | Champions Trophy warm-up | 305/9 | 308/8 | New Zealand won by 2 wickets |
| February 8, 2026 | T20 World Cup | 182/6 | 183/5 | New Zealand won by 5 wickets |
The table includes different match categories, so the Champions Trophy warm-up should not be counted as an official ODI, and the abandoned Test does not contribute a win to either team.
2015: New Zealand Wins the First World Cup Encounter
The first major ODI World Cup meeting between Afghanistan and New Zealand took place on March 8, 2015, at McLean Park in Napier, New Zealand.
Afghanistan batted first and scored 186 runs before being dismissed in 47.4 overs. The team showed determination but struggled to maintain momentum against New Zealand’s bowling attack.
New Zealand chased the target with relative comfort, reaching 188/4 in 36.1 overs to win by six wickets.
The result established New Zealand’s early dominance in the rivalry. Playing at home also gave the Black Caps familiarity with the conditions, which helped them manage the chase effectively.
For Afghanistan, the match provided valuable experience against a strong international side. The team was still developing its presence in major tournaments, and matches against established teams helped its players gain experience at the highest level.
2019: New Zealand Maintains Its ODI Advantage
Afghanistan and New Zealand met again during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England.
The match took place on June 8, 2019, at Taunton. Afghanistan batted first and scored 172 runs in 41.1 overs.
New Zealand completed the chase at 173/3 in 32.1 overs, winning by seven wickets with plenty of deliveries remaining.
Afghanistan’s batting lineup could not establish the partnerships required to post a larger total. New Zealand’s batters then approached the chase with control, avoiding unnecessary risks while maintaining a healthy scoring rate.
The victory strengthened New Zealand’s record in ODI World Cup meetings between the teams. It also highlighted a recurring pattern: Afghanistan could produce competitive passages of play but needed greater consistency to challenge New Zealand across a full 50-over innings.
2021: New Zealand Wins a Crucial T20 World Cup Match
The teams met during the Super 12 stage of the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Abu Dhabi on November 7, 2021.
Afghanistan scored 124/8 in 20 overs. Although the total offered its bowlers an opportunity to apply pressure, New Zealand’s batting lineup handled the chase effectively.
New Zealand reached 125/2 in 18.1 overs, winning by eight wickets.
Afghanistan could not generate enough pressure with the bat to make the target more challenging. New Zealand’s disciplined approach ensured that the required run rate remained manageable throughout the chase.
The victory was important for New Zealand’s tournament campaign. It demonstrated the team’s ability to control a modest target and maintain composure in a match with significant qualification implications.
For Afghanistan, the encounter showed the importance of building a stronger total before relying on its spin-heavy bowling attack to defend a score.
2022: Rain Prevents a Result
Afghanistan and New Zealand were scheduled to meet again in the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on October 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.
However, persistent rain prevented the match from starting, and it was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Neither team earned a victory from the fixture. The result also affected the teams’ tournament campaigns because they could not collect the two points available for a win.
Weather interruptions are an unavoidable part of international cricket, particularly in tournaments where teams play on a fixed schedule. This abandoned match remains an important entry in the rivalry’s timeline, even though no batting or bowling statistics were recorded.
2023: New Zealand Dominates the ODI World Cup Match
One of New Zealand’s most convincing victories over Afghanistan came on October 18, 2023, during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in Chennai, India.
New Zealand batted first and scored 288/6 in 50 overs. Its batting lineup built a substantial total through partnerships and effective scoring throughout the innings.
Afghanistan faced a difficult chase and was dismissed for 139 in 34.4 overs. New Zealand won by 149 runs, one of the largest victory margins in the teams’ ODI history.
The result demonstrated New Zealand’s ability to build pressure with both bat and ball. A total approaching 300 forced Afghanistan to take risks, and New Zealand’s bowlers capitalized as wickets fell at regular intervals.
For Afghanistan, the defeat was disappointing after earlier victories in the tournament had raised expectations. Nevertheless, the match highlighted the challenge of maintaining consistency against experienced opponents over a full ODI innings.
2024: Afghanistan Records a Historic T20 World Cup Victory
The June 7, 2024, encounter at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Guyana was a defining moment in the Afghanistan versus New Zealand rivalry.
Afghanistan batted first and scored 159/6 in 20 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the innings with an aggressive 80 from 56 balls, providing a strong foundation for the team.
Ibrahim Zadran contributed 44, helping Afghanistan establish a competitive total.
New Zealand’s chase collapsed dramatically. Rashid Khan took four wickets for 17 runs, while Fazalhaq Farooqi also claimed four wickets. New Zealand was dismissed for just 75 in 15.2 overs.
Afghanistan won by 84 runs, securing its first-ever international victory against New Zealand.
The result was historic because New Zealand had won all four of their previous completed international meetings at that point. Afghanistan’s bowlers dismantled the New Zealand batting order and demonstrated the effectiveness of their spin and pace combination.
The match also reinforced Afghanistan’s growing reputation in T20 cricket. With players such as Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the team had developed the ability to challenge leading international sides.
2024: The One-Off Test Match Is Abandoned
Afghanistan and New Zealand were scheduled to play a one-off Test at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in India in September 2024.
The match was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of persistent rain and a wet outfield.
The abandoned fixture was unusual because Test cricket traditionally provides five days for teams to compete. However, poor ground conditions prevented play throughout the scheduled match.
As a result, neither side had an opportunity to establish a Test result, and the fixture added no wins to the head-to-head record.
The match nevertheless represented an important milestone because it was scheduled to be the first Test meeting between the two national teams. The lack of play meant their rivalry continued to be defined primarily by limited-overs cricket.
2025: New Zealand Edges Afghanistan in a Champions Trophy Warm-Up
Afghanistan and New Zealand played a high-scoring warm-up match ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on February 16, 2025, in Karachi, Pakistan.
Afghanistan scored 305/9 in 50 overs, producing a strong total through aggressive batting and useful lower-order contributions.
New Zealand responded with 308/8 in 47.5 overs, winning by two wickets.
The match demonstrated Afghanistan’s ability to compete with New Zealand in a 50-over contest. However, the Black Caps successfully chased a target exceeding 300, showing their batting depth and composure under pressure.
Because this was a warm-up fixture, it should be treated separately from official international head-to-head statistics. Nevertheless, it offered both teams an opportunity to test combinations and prepare for the Champions Trophy.
2026: New Zealand Wins a Thrilling T20 World Cup Chase
The teams met again on February 8, 2026, during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India.
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first. The team scored 182/6 in 20 overs, setting New Zealand a challenging target of 183.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 80 from 52 balls, anchoring Afghanistan’s innings. Ibrahim Zadran added 44, while other contributions helped the team finish with a competitive total.
New Zealand responded with an aggressive and controlled chase. Tim Seifert scored 65 from 42 balls, while Glenn Phillips contributed 42 from 25 deliveries.
The Black Caps reached 183/5 in 17.5 overs, winning by five wickets with 13 balls remaining.
The result demonstrated New Zealand’s ability to chase a challenging T20 total against Afghanistan. Despite Gurbaz’s impressive performance, New Zealand’s batters maintained a high scoring rate and ensured that the required run rate did not become unmanageable.
The victory also restored New Zealand’s advantage in their T20 World Cup head-to-head record after Afghanistan’s historic triumph in 2024.
Afghanistan vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Record
The teams’ head-to-head record varies by format. New Zealand has won all three completed ODI meetings between the sides, while T20 cricket has produced victories for both teams.
The following summary covers the official senior international matches recorded through February 2026.
| Format | Matches played | Afghanistan wins | New Zealand wins | Other results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 3 | 0 | 3 | None |
| T20Is | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 abandoned |
| Tests | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 abandoned |
| Total | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 abandoned |
The table excludes the 2025 Champions Trophy warm-up because it was not an official ODI. It also excludes matches from other youth or domestic competitions.
New Zealand’s ODI record reflects its consistency in the 50-over format. Afghanistan’s T20I victory in 2024, however, demonstrates that the shorter format can produce different outcomes.
Key Players in Afghanistan vs New Zealand Matches
Several players have shaped the rivalry through outstanding batting and bowling performances.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: An aggressive opening batter who scored 80 in the 2024 T20 World Cup meeting and again reached 80 in the 2026 encounter.
- Rashid Khan: Afghanistan’s influential leg-spinner, whose four-wicket haul helped dismiss New Zealand for 75 in 2024.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi: A left-arm fast bowler who took four wickets in the same historic victory.
- Ibrahim Zadran: A technically sound batter who has contributed important runs against New Zealand.
- Tim Seifert: The New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter who scored 65 during the successful 2026 T20 World Cup chase.
- Glenn Phillips: A powerful middle-order batter who contributed 42 in the 2026 encounter.
- Trent Boult: An experienced left-arm fast bowler whose swing and control have been important to New Zealand’s limited-overs success.
These players illustrate the contrasting strengths of the two sides. Afghanistan often relies on spin bowling and aggressive top-order batting, while New Zealand combines pace, fielding discipline, and adaptable batting partnerships.
Conclusion
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team matches timeline reflects a rivalry that has evolved considerably since the teams first met in the 2015 ODI World Cup.
New Zealand dominated their early encounters, winning the first three ODI World Cup matches and securing important T20 victories in 2021. Afghanistan changed the narrative in June 2024 with an emphatic 84-run victory, powered by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 80 and four-wicket hauls from Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
New Zealand responded in the 2026 T20 World Cup, chasing Afghanistan’s 182/6 to win by five wickets. The result highlighted the Black Caps’ batting depth and ability to handle pressure in major tournaments.
Although New Zealand holds the stronger overall record, Afghanistan has established itself as a competitive opponent, particularly in T20 cricket. Future encounters between the teams are likely to remain closely followed because both sides possess match-winning players capable of changing a contest with a single outstanding performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When did Afghanistan and New Zealand first play an ODI World Cup match?
Afghanistan and New Zealand first met in the ODI World Cup on March 8, 2015, in Napier, New Zealand. New Zealand won by six wickets after chasing Afghanistan’s total of 186.
2. Who won the Afghanistan vs New Zealand T20 World Cup match in 2024?
Afghanistan won by 84 runs on June 7, 2024, in Guyana. Afghanistan scored 159/6, while New Zealand was dismissed for 75 in 15.2 overs.
3. Who was the leading performer in Afghanistan’s 2024 victory over New Zealand?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 80 from 56 balls, while Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi each took four wickets. Their combined performances secured Afghanistan’s historic victory.
4. Who won the Afghanistan vs New Zealand T20 World Cup match in 2026?
New Zealand won by five wickets on February 8, 2026, in Chennai. Afghanistan scored 182/6, and New Zealand chased the target with a final score of 183/5 in 17.5 overs.
5. What is the overall head-to-head record between Afghanistan and New Zealand?
Across the eight official senior international fixtures summarized through February 2026, New Zealand has five wins, Afghanistan has one win, and two matches were abandoned. The totals include three ODIs, four T20Is, and one abandoned Test.
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