You want a rivalry that tells a bigger story than just cricket? Look no further than the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline.
On one side, you have New Zealand. A team that has been a consistent force in world cricket for decades. Calm, clinical, and almost annoyingly good at playing the long game. On the other side, Afghanistan. A team that went from refugee camps to T20 World Cup semi-finals in a story so remarkable, even Bollywood would struggle to write it.
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team matchups are still relatively few in number. But what they lack in quantity, they absolutely make up for in drama, shock, and pure cricketing brilliance. From a stunning 84-run hammering in Guyana to a tense five-wicket thriller in Chennai, every game in this New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline has had something to talk about.
So if you have been wondering about the full Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Stats, you are in exactly the right place.
Last Updated: July 11, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. All match data, statistics, and records have been compiled from publicly available and reputable cricket databases. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and reliability, readers are encouraged to verify important information with official sources, as cricket records are subject to updates and revisions
A Quick Background on Both Teams
Afghanistan Cricket: The Greatest Underdog Story
Afghanistan received ODI status in 2009. Let that sink in. A country that was playing Division Five cricket in 2008 went on to reach the T20 World Cup semi-finals in 2024 and beat England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Netherlands in the 2023 ODI World Cup. They got Full Member status from the ICC in 2017 alongside Ireland and played their first-ever Test match against India in 2018.
Their weapons? An extraordinary spin attack led by Rashid Khan, one of the greatest T20 bowlers of all time, along with Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi. The core of this side has played franchise cricket across every major T20 league in the world, making them punchy, smart, and incredibly hard to beat on their day.
New Zealand Cricket: The Quiet Achievers
New Zealand has been a top-10 Test and ODI team for decades. They reached the ODI World Cup final in 2019 and won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021. They are known for their disciplined bowling, smart batting, and a culture that consistently produces match-winners. Players like Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson have carried the Black Caps to multiple global tournament knockouts.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline: All Matches
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Matches have been played across the ODI and T20I formats. No Tests have taken place between the two sides as of July 2026. Here is a clean look at the complete AFG Vs NZ and NZ Vs AFG head-to-head record.
Overall Head-to-Head Summary (All Formats, as of July 2026)
| Format | Matches Played | AFG Wins | NZ Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| T20I | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
New Zealand clearly dominate the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team head-to-head. But Afghanistan’s one T20I win was arguably the most dramatic game in the entire rivalry.
ICC ODI World Cup Matches Between AFG and NZ
All three ODIs between Afghanistan and New Zealand have come at ICC ODI World Cup events. That makes every encounter feel like a blockbuster with maximum stakes.
ODI World Cup Head-to-Head
| Date | Tournament | Venue | AFG Score | NZ Score | Result | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Jun 2019 | ICC ODI World Cup 2019 | Taunton, England | 172 all out (41.1 ov) | 173/3 (32.1 ov) | NZ won by 7 wickets | James Neesham (NZ) 5/31 |
| 18 Oct 2023 | ICC ODI World Cup 2023 | Chennai, India | 139 all out (34.4 ov) | 288/6 (50 ov) | NZ won by 149 runs | Glenn Phillips (NZ) 71 (80) |
In the 2015 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan and New Zealand were in different groups and did not meet. No 2027 ODI World Cup clash has been scheduled as of this writing.
NZ lead the ODI World Cup head-to-head 3-0 (including a 2015 match that did not occur between these sides; NZ won all 3 ODIs they have played against AFG).
ICC T20 World Cup Matches: The Plot Twist Edition
This is where the New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline really gets spicy. Three T20I matches, and each one has had a very different story.
T20 World Cup Head-to-Head
| Date | Tournament | Venue | AFG Score | NZ Score | Result | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Jun 2024 | ICC T20 World Cup 2024 | Providence, Guyana | 159/6 (20 ov) | 75 all out (15.2 ov) | AFG won by 84 runs | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) 80 (56) |
| 8 Feb 2026 | ICC T20 World Cup 2026 | Chennai, India | 182/6 (20 ov) | 183/5 (17.5 ov) | NZ won by 5 wickets | Tim Seifert (NZ) 65 |
Complete Match Scorecards: Game by Game
Match 1: ODI World Cup 2019, Taunton
This was a NZ Vs AFG game where Afghanistan were still establishing themselves at the World Cup. James Neesham produced a career-best bowling figure of 5 wickets for 31 runs to demolish Afghanistan’s batting. Afghanistan were restricted to 172 and New Zealand knocked off the target with 107 balls to spare. Kane Williamson finished unbeaten on 79.
Quick Scorecard:
| Team | Score | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 172 all out (41.1 ov) | Hashmatullah Shahidi 59, Hazratullah Zazai 34 |
| New Zealand | 173/3 (32.1 ov) | Kane Williamson 79*, James Neesham 5/31 |
Match 2: ODI World Cup 2023, Chennai
Three wins from three for New Zealand heading into this match. Tom Latham’s side posted 288/6, led by Glenn Phillips (71 off 80) and Latham himself (68 off 74). Afghanistan could manage only 139 in reply as Trent Boult set the tone with the new ball. New Zealand’s pace and Mitchell Santner’s left-arm spin proved too much for Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
Quick Scorecard:
| Team | Score | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 288/6 (50 ov) | Glenn Phillips 71 (80), Tom Latham 68 (74) |
| Afghanistan | 139 all out (34.4 ov) | Azmatullah Omarzai 2 wickets, Naveen-ul-Haq 2/60 |
Match 3: T20 World Cup 2024, Providence, Guyana (THE ONE)
This was the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team match that shook the cricketing world. Rahmanullah Gurbaz absolutely lit up the Providence Stadium with 80 off 56 deliveries. Afghanistan posted 159/6, which looked par but not threatening.
What followed was a clinical dismantling. New Zealand’s top order collapsed almost immediately. Finn Allen was out on the first ball. Fazalhaq Farooqi ripped through the top order. Rashid Khan then came on and bowled New Zealand out for 75, the fourth-lowest total in their T20I history. Rashid took 4 wickets. Farooqi finished with 4 as well. Afghanistan won by 84 runs with nearly five overs to spare.
This win helped spark Afghanistan’s incredible run to the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Full Scorecard:
| Team | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 159/6 (20 ov) | Rahmanullah Gurbaz 80 (56), Ibrahim Zadran 44 (41) |
| New Zealand | 75 all out (15.2 ov) | Rashid Khan 4/—, Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/17 |
Match 4: T20 World Cup 2026, Chennai (The Rematch)
The rematch everyone wanted. Group D, the so-called “group of death” alongside South Africa. Afghanistan batted first and posted 182/6, with Gulbadin Naib smashing a career-best 63 off just 35 balls at number three. Mujeeb Ur Rahman then struck twice in the second over, removing both New Zealand openers to put the Kiwis in trouble at 2 wickets down for very few runs early.
But Tim Seifert held New Zealand together with a composed 65, and Glenn Phillips came back to haunt Afghanistan with a punchy 42. Lockie Ferguson took 2 key wickets with serious pace. New Zealand won by 5 wickets with 13 balls to spare. The ghosts of Guyana were temporarily exorcised.
Full Scorecard:
| Team | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 182/6 (20 ov) | Gulbadin Naib 63 (35), Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/31 |
| New Zealand | 183/5 (17.5 ov) | Tim Seifert 65, Glenn Phillips 42, Lockie Ferguson 2/40 |
AFG Vs NZ Head-to-Head Stats: All Formats
Batting Records Between Afghanistan and New Zealand
| Stat | Player | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Individual Score (T20I) | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | AFG | 80 (56) vs NZ, Providence, 2024 |
| Most T20I Runs (Combined) | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | AFG | 86 runs in 2 T20Is, avg 43, SR 132.3 |
| Highest Individual Score (ODI) | Glenn Phillips | NZ | 71 (80) vs AFG, Chennai, 2023 |
| Highest Team Total (ODI) | New Zealand | NZ | 288/6, Chennai, 2023 |
| Highest Team Total (T20I) | Afghanistan | AFG | 182/6, Chennai, 2026 |
| Lowest Team Total (T20I) | New Zealand | NZ | 75, Providence, 2024 |
| Lowest Team Total (ODI) | Afghanistan | AFG | 139, Chennai, 2023 |
Bowling Records Between Afghanistan and New Zealand
| Stat | Player | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Bowling Figures (ODI) | James Neesham | NZ | 5/31, Taunton, 2019 |
| Best Bowling Figures (T20I) | Fazalhaq Farooqi | AFG | 4/17, Providence, 2024 |
| Most T20I Wickets | Rashid Khan | AFG | 5 wickets in 2 T20Is at economy 5.5 |
| Best ODI Economy | Fazalhaq Farooqi | AFG | 5.57 economy vs NZ, Chennai, 2023 |
Key Players and Memorable Performances (Era Wise, Till 2026)
2019 Era: New Zealand’s Dominance
James Neesham was the hero in Taunton. His 5/31 remains the best individual bowling performance in any AFG Vs NZ match across formats. Lockie Ferguson also chipped in with 4/37 in the same game. Kane Williamson’s calm 79 not out was a masterclass in finishing a chase without fuss.
For Afghanistan, Hazratullah Zazai gave them a flying start with 34 off 28 at the top. But once Neesham got going, the middle order simply could not cope.
2023 Era: History Repeating, But Bigger
Glenn Phillips and Tom Latham combined for a powerful partnership in the 2023 World Cup clash. New Zealand won by 149 runs, their biggest win over Afghanistan in any format. Naveen-ul-Haq gave Afghanistan some early hope with wickets, but once New Zealand’s middle order clicked, it was game over.
2024 Era: Afghanistan’s Greatest Hour Against NZ
Rahmanullah Gurbaz. That name will haunt New Zealand fans for years. His 80 off 56 was not just important, it was brutal and calculated at the same time. Opening alongside Ibrahim Zadran (44 off 41), Gurbaz gave Afghanistan a platform that proved more than enough once Rashid Khan, Farooqi, and Mohammad Nabi turned the screws.
Expert Opinion: Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan’s head coach at the time of the 2026 World Cup match, noted that Gulbadin Naib batting at number three was a tactical choice that paid off richly, with Naib producing a career-best knock in the rematch in Chennai.
2026 Era: The Rematch in Chennai
This New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team match had all the tension of a final. Mitchell Santner’s captaincy was tested early as Mujeeb struck in the powerplay. But Tim Seifert rose to the occasion, and Glenn Phillips once again delivered against Afghanistan’s spin attack. Lockie Ferguson’s pace, cranked up north of 140kph, gave New Zealand an attacking edge that proved decisive.
Greatest Wins in This Rivalry
| Match | Winner | Margin | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ vs AFG, ODI WC 2023 | New Zealand | 149 runs | Chennai | 2023 |
| NZ vs AFG, ODI WC 2019 | New Zealand | 7 wickets (107 balls to spare) | Taunton | 2019 |
| AFG vs NZ, T20 WC 2024 | Afghanistan | 84 runs | Guyana | 2024 |
| NZ vs AFG, T20 WC 2026 | New Zealand | 5 wickets | Chennai | 2026 |
Where To Watch Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team
Wondering Where To Watch Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team matches? Here is a quick breakdown of major broadcast partners:
- India: Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar carry most ICC events.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ and Spark Sport for domestic coverage.
- Pakistan and Middle East: PTV Sports, Willow TV.
- Global: ICC.tv streams many matches for fans without a regional broadcaster.
- Online: Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo offer ball-by-ball text commentary for free.
For detailed scorecards and statistics, ESPNcricinfo is your best friend.
Records at a Glance: Afghanistan vs New Zealand
Lowest Totals in an Innings
| Total | Team | Opposition | Venue | Year | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | New Zealand | Afghanistan | Providence, Guyana | 2024 | T20I |
| 139 | Afghanistan | New Zealand | Chennai, India | 2023 | ODI |
| 172 | Afghanistan | New Zealand | Taunton, England | 2019 | ODI |
Highest Totals in an Innings
| Total | Team | Opposition | Venue | Year | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 288/6 | New Zealand | Afghanistan | Chennai, India | 2023 | ODI |
| 182/6 | Afghanistan | New Zealand | Chennai, India | 2026 | T20I |
| 183/5 | New Zealand | Afghanistan | Chennai, India | 2026 | T20I |
| 173/3 | New Zealand | Afghanistan | Taunton, England | 2019 | ODI |
| 159/6 | Afghanistan | New Zealand | Providence, Guyana | 2024 | T20I |
ICC Champions Trophy: No Meeting Yet
As of July 2026, Afghanistan and New Zealand have not met at any ICC Champions Trophy. Afghanistan have historically not qualified for the Champions Trophy until the 2025 edition. The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy saw Afghanistan in the tournament, but they were placed in different groups from New Zealand. No Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Champions Trophy clash has taken place as of this writing.
What Makes This Rivalry Fascinating?
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline is still young, but it carries enormous weight. Here is why this Afg Vs Nz matchup matters beyond the numbers:
Afghanistan’s spin is world-class. Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad make Afghanistan arguably the most dangerous T20 spin combination in the world. On surfaces that offer even a hint of turn, they are almost unplayable. The 2024 T20 WC game in Guyana proved that even experienced teams like New Zealand can collapse dramatically against this attack.
New Zealand’s pace is their trump card. Lockie Ferguson’s pace north of 140kph, Matt Henry’s swing, and Jacob Duffy’s relentless line-and-length give New Zealand an edge on flatter surfaces. Their 2026 response showed they had learned from the Guyana trauma.
Both teams play fearless cricket. New Zealand does not play for draws. Afghanistan certainly does not. Every NZ Vs AFG and AFG Vs NZ contest has been decided well before the final ball, often with dramatic momentum shifts.
Conclusion
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline might only have six completed matches across formats, but every single one has had a story worth telling. New Zealand lead 5-1 overall, but Afghanistan’s 84-run demolition in Guyana in 2024 stands as one of the most emphatic results in recent T20 World Cup history.
As both teams continue to grow, and as more bilateral series get scheduled in the future, this New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline is only going to get richer. Afghanistan are getting better with every tournament. New Zealand remain one of the most consistent sides in world cricket. When these two face off, the cricket world pays attention.
Whether you follow the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Stats religiously or you are a casual fan tuning in for the big moments, this is a rivalry you want to keep an eye on. The best chapters of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline are still being written.
? FAQs About Afghanistan Vs New Zealand Teams
Q1. How many times have Afghanistan and New Zealand played each other?
As of July 2026, they have played 6 times across all formats: 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. No Test match has been played between the two sides.
Q2. Who leads the Afghanistan vs New Zealand head-to-head record?
New Zealand lead 5-1 overall. They have won all 3 ODIs. In T20Is, Afghanistan won one (2024) and New Zealand have won two (the 2026 T20 World Cup match being their most recent T20I win).
Q3. What is Afghanistan’s biggest win over New Zealand?
Afghanistan beat New Zealand by 84 runs at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in Providence, Guyana on June 7, 2024. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 80 off 56 and New Zealand were bowled out for just 75.
Q4. What is New Zealand’s biggest win over Afghanistan?
New Zealand beat Afghanistan by 149 runs at the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in Chennai on October 18, 2023. Glenn Phillips scored 71 and Afghanistan collapsed for 139.
Q5. Have Afghanistan and New Zealand ever played a Test match?
No, as of July 2026, no Test match has been played between Afghanistan and New Zealand.
Q6. Who is the top wicket-taker in Afghanistan vs New Zealand T20Is?
Rashid Khan holds the record with 5 wickets from 2 T20I matches against New Zealand, with an economy rate of 5.5.
Q7. Where can I watch Afghanistan vs New Zealand matches live?
You can watch on Star Sports and Hotstar in India, Sky Sport in New Zealand, and the ICC.tv platform for global audiences. Always check your regional broadcaster for the latest rights.
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