The Zimbabwe vs New Zealand head-to-head record is heavily tilted toward the Black Caps, but the numbers become more interesting when broken down by format. Across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, the teams have met 65 times, with New Zealand winning 48 and Zimbabwe 9. All nine Zimbabwe victories have come in ODIs. The rivalry also includes some remarkable contests, from a three-run World Cup thriller to New Zealand’s record-breaking Test victory in 2025.
Quick Summary
- Total international matches: 65
- New Zealand wins: 48
- Zimbabwe wins: 9
- Draws: 6 Tests
- ODIs: New Zealand lead 27–9, with one tie and one no-result
- Tests: New Zealand lead 13–0, with six draws
- T20Is: New Zealand lead 8–0
- Latest Test series: New Zealand won 2–0 in Zimbabwe in 2025
- Most recent meetings: Zimbabwe’s 2025 T20I tri-series matches and the 2025 Test series
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Record by Format
The overall figures tell a clear story, but each format has its own character.
| Format | Matches | New Zealand Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | Other Results |
| Tests | 19 | 13 | 0 | 6 draws |
| ODIs | 38 | 27 | 9 | 1 tie, 1 NR |
| T20Is | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 65 | 48 | 9 | 8 |
New Zealand’s overall advantage is substantial: they have won almost three-quarters of the 65 matches. Yet the ODI record shows that Zimbabwe have occasionally been capable of pushing the Kiwis hard, particularly during periods when Zimbabwe’s one-day side was at its strongest.
The biggest contrast appears in T20Is. Zimbabwe have played New Zealand eight times in the format and lost every match. The latest two meetings, in July 2025, extended that perfect New Zealand record.
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Test Record
Test cricket has produced the most one-sided part of this .
The teams have played 19 Tests, with New Zealand winning 13 and the remaining six ending in draws. Zimbabwe have never beaten New Zealand in a Test.
Their first Test series came in Zimbabwe during the 1992–93 season. New Zealand won one of the two Tests, while the other was drawn. Zimbabwe subsequently recorded several drawn series, but they were never able to convert a strong position into a Test victory over the Kiwis.
The 2025 Test series changed the record books
The most recent Test series, played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, was particularly significant.
New Zealand won the first Test by nine wickets, with Zimbabwe scoring 149 and 165, while New Zealand made 307 and needed only eight runs in their second innings.
The second Test was even more extraordinary.
Zimbabwe were dismissed for 125 in their first innings. New Zealand responded with 601/3 declared, powered by Devon Conway’s 153, Rachin Ravindra’s unbeaten 165 and Henry Nicholls’ unbeaten 150. Zimbabwe were then bowled out for 117 in their second innings.
New Zealand won by an innings and 359 runs, their largest Test victory by innings and runs. It was also Zimbabwe’s heaviest defeat in Test cricket.
Zakary Foulkes was another major story. On Test debut, he took 4/38 in the first innings and 5/37 in the second. Matt Henry also claimed five wickets in Zimbabwe’s first innings.
The 2025 series therefore ended with New Zealand completing a 2–0 sweep.
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand ODI Record
ODIs are where Zimbabwe have enjoyed their greatest success against New Zealand.
The teams have played 38 ODIs, with New Zealand winning 27 and Zimbabwe winning nine. There has also been one tie and one no-result.
That means all nine Zimbabwe victories in the overall rivalry have come in the 50-over format.
Zimbabwe’s strongest ODI period
Zimbabwe’s most competitive period against New Zealand came around the late 1990s and early 2000s. They managed series victories and produced several memorable performances against stronger opponents.
One notable series came during Zimbabwe’s tour of New Zealand in 2000–01, when Zimbabwe won the ODI series 2–1. That period remains an important chapter in Zimbabwean cricket because the side was capable of beating established teams both at home and overseas.
The 2015 series in Zimbabwe also produced a memorable result. Zimbabwe won the opening ODI by seven wickets, chasing 304 with six balls remaining. New Zealand then won the next two matches to take the series 2–1.
That 2015 victory remains one of the clearest examples of Zimbabwe’s ability to challenge New Zealand in limited-overs cricket.
Memorable Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Matches
1987 World Cup: New Zealand win by three runs
The rivalry began in ODI cricket at the 1987 World Cup, and the first meeting immediately produced a close finish.
New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe by only three runs in Hyderabad. It was a narrow result that demonstrated how competitive Zimbabwe could be against an established international side even at the World Cup.
That match is still worth remembering because it came during Zimbabwe’s early years on the global stage.
2015: Zimbabwe stun New Zealand
The opening ODI of New Zealand’s 2015 tour of Zimbabwe was another classic. New Zealand scored 303/4, but Zimbabwe chased the target with seven wickets in hand and six balls remaining.
The victory was one of Zimbabwe’s most impressive modern ODI performances against New Zealand.
2025: New Zealand dominate the Test series
The 2025 Test series provided the opposite picture. After a nine-wicket victory in the first Test, New Zealand produced a record-breaking innings-and-359-run win in the second.
It was a reminder that head-to-head records can change dramatically from one format to another.
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand T20I Record
The T20I numbers are remarkably simple.
Eight matches. Eight New Zealand wins. Zero Zimbabwe wins.
The first T20I meeting came at the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in Guyana, where New Zealand won by seven runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
The sides then met twice in 2011, twice in 2012 and once in 2015, with New Zealand winning every contest.
The rivalry returned to T20I cricket in July 2025 during a tri-series in Zimbabwe. New Zealand won the first meeting by eight wickets, chasing 120 with 37 balls remaining. Six days later, they defeated Zimbabwe by 60 runs, scoring 190/6 before dismissing Zimbabwe for 130.
The 2025 results extended New Zealand’s perfect T20I record against Zimbabwe to eight victories.
Key Players and Statistical Milestones
Several players have left their mark on this matchup.
For Zimbabwe, David Houghton was an important early figure. He scored 142 against New Zealand at the 1987 World Cup, an innings that helped establish his reputation on the international stage.
Grant Flower also had a notable connection with New Zealand. He became the first Zimbabwean to score centuries in both innings of a Test match when he achieved the feat against New Zealand in 1997.
New Zealand’s modern dominance has featured several high-class performances. In the 2025 second Test, Devon Conway scored 153, Rachin Ravindra made 165 not out and Henry Nicholls added 150 not out as New Zealand reached 601/3 declared.
The bowling figures were equally impressive. Matt Henry took 5/40 in Zimbabwe’s first innings, while Zakary Foulkes claimed 4/38 and then 5/37 in the second innings.
What Does the Head-to-Head Record Tell Us?
At first glance, the statistics suggest a straightforward New Zealand dominance. That is accurate, but it misses some useful context.
Zimbabwe’s nine ODI wins show that the gap has not always been as large in limited-overs cricket. Their best periods produced genuine competition, including an ODI series win in New Zealand and the famous 2015 chase of 304.
The Test numbers are much less forgiving. Zimbabwe’s inability to win any of 19 Tests against New Zealand is striking, particularly given the six drawn matches. The 2025 series reinforced that imbalance rather dramatically.
T20I cricket has been even more one-sided. New Zealand’s 8–0 record demonstrates their consistency in this format against Zimbabwe.
For Zimbabwe, the most encouraging statistic is therefore not the overall record but the history of their ODI victories. That format has repeatedly provided their best opportunities to challenge New Zealand.
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Head-to-Head: At a Glance
| Statistic | Record |
| Total matches | 65 |
| New Zealand wins | 48 |
| Zimbabwe wins | 9 |
| Test matches | 19 |
| New Zealand Test wins | 13 |
| Zimbabwe Test wins | 0 |
| ODI matches | 38 |
| New Zealand ODI wins | 27 |
| Zimbabwe ODI wins | 9 |
| T20I matches | 8 |
| New Zealand T20I wins | 8 |
| Zimbabwe T20I wins | 0 |
| Latest Test series | NZ won 2–0, 2025 |
| Biggest NZ Test win | Innings and 359 runs, 2025 |
The figures are current through the sides’ most recent men’s international meetings in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times have Zimbabwe and New Zealand played each other?
Zimbabwe and New Zealand have played 65 men’s international matches across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. New Zealand have won 48, while Zimbabwe have won nine. Six Tests have ended in draws, with one ODI tie and one ODI no-result.
Has Zimbabwe ever beaten New Zealand in Test cricket?
No. Zimbabwe have played New Zealand 19 times in Tests without winning. New Zealand have won 13, while six matches have ended in draws.
How many ODIs have Zimbabwe won against New Zealand?
Zimbabwe have won nine of 38 ODIs against New Zealand. Their nine victories account for every Zimbabwe win across the overall 65-match Test, ODI and T20I rivalry.
Who has the better Zimbabwe vs New Zealand T20I record?
New Zealand have a perfect record. They have won all eight T20Is played against Zimbabwe, including both meetings during the July 2025 tri-series.
Conclusion
The Zimbabwe vs New Zealand head-to-head record is dominated by New Zealand, but the story is not completely one-sided. Zimbabwe’s nine ODI victories, including major wins during their stronger limited-overs eras, provide the competitive edge in this rivalry. Tests and T20Is have been far more difficult territory, with Zimbabwe yet to win either format against New Zealand. The 2025 Test series, capped by New Zealand’s record innings-and-359-run victory, showed just how wide the gap can become. For historical context, though, the ODI record remains the most interesting part of this matchup.
