When we talk about international cricket, some rivalries are loud and famous which are full of emotion and history like the rivalry of India vs Pakistan or Australia vs England. But not every cricket story is like that. Some match-ups grow quietly over the years like the matches between Bangladesh and New Zealand.
They may not have a heated rivalry, but their games have given fans many good moments, surprises, and signs of progress. Let’s go back in time and look at Bangladesh National cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline which includes Test matches, ODIs, and T20s.
Bangladesh National cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline
The Beginning: 2001-2004
The first official face-off between Bangladesh and New Zealand happened in 2001 when Bangladesh toured New Zealand for a two-match Test series.
The tour turned out to be a tough one for Bangladesh. The matches in Hamilton and Wellington were heavily one-sided. Bangladesh lost both Tests by an innings.
In terms of ODIs, the two teams first met in 2002 during the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. Once again, New Zealand won comfortably. This early phase was all about New Zealand’s dominance.
New Zealand dominates continue: 2005-2010
For much of the first decade of their head-to-head encounters, New Zealand maintained a clear upper hand. Whether it was Test matches or ODIs, they continued to outplay Bangladesh.
One of the most difficult tours for Bangladesh was in 2007, when they visited New
Zealand and faced a 3-0 defeat in the ODI series and a 2-0 loss in the Test series. The pace and swing of bowlers like Shane Bond and the consistency of batters like Ross Taylor proved too much for the Tigers.
However, the experience which Bangladesh gained during this period would eventually shape their fightback.
Bangladesh Whitewashes New Zealand in 2010
Then in October 2010, New Zealand came to Dhaka for a 5-match ODI series, and everyone expected them to win but Bangladesh shocked everyone by winning the series 4-0 (one match was abandoned due to rain). It was their first-ever ODI series win over New Zealand. In that series, Shakib Al Hasan gave their best performance both with bat and ball.
2010s: Test Cricket Still a Tough Road
Even though Bangladesh started doing better in ODIs against New Zealand, Test cricket was still a tough challenge. In 2013, when New Zealand came to Bangladesh, the Test series ended in draws. It was a sign that Bangladesh was learning to hold their ground, at least at home. But things were different in 2017 when Bangladesh went to New Zealand.
One of the hardest moments came in the Wellington Test in which Bangladesh scored 595/8 declared in the first inning. But somehow, they still ended up losing the match. New Zealand, with brilliant batting from Kane Williamson and Tom Latham.
World Cup Clashes: The Global Stage Battles
World Cup matches between Bangladesh and New Zealand have also provided thrilling moments. In the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand, the two sides met in Hamilton in the group stage. The match was competitive, with Bangladesh giving a good fight before going down narrowly. Shakib once again stood tall with both bat and ball.
In the 2019 World Cup, hosted in England, Bangladesh and New Zealand clashed at The Oval. Bangladesh had just defeated South Africa in their opening match and were high on confidence. The match went down to the wire. Bangladesh put up a decent total, but the Kiwis chased it with just 2 wickets to spare. These encounters proved that the gap between the two teams was narrowing, especially in limited-overs formats.
T20 Format: Bangladesh Finds Strength
In the T20 format, Bangladesh has improved a lot in recent years. One of the most memorable series came in 2021, when New Zealand toured Bangladesh. The pitch in Dhaka was slow and spin-friendly, and the New Zealand team found it hard to adjust.
Bangladesh won the 5-match series by 3-2, with star bowlers like Nasum Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman. Captain Mahmudullah whom provided calm leadership, and Bangladesh looked confident in their home conditions. This win was a big boost before the T20 World Cup, and it showed that Bangladesh could now beat top teams in this format.
More Balanced Matches in 2022–2024
As of recent years, the competition between Bangladesh and New Zealand has become more balanced. While New Zealand still remains a strong team, they now take Bangladesh much more seriously.
Young players from Bangladesh, like Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Shoriful Islam, have added freshness to the squad. On the other hand, New Zealand continues to be consistent with players like Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and of course, their captain Kane Williamson. Matches between the two sides are now more competitive than ever, especially in ODIs and T20s.
What to expect next?
Looking ahead, this matchup will continue to grow. Bangladesh will aim to improve their performance outside Asia, especially in New Zealand’s fast pitches. They have the talent, and with more experience, they can surely do it.
New Zealand, meanwhile, will keep building new talent and maintaining their position as one of cricket’s most well-rounded teams. The upcoming ICC tournaments and future tours promise more exciting matches.
Conclusion
The timeline of Bangladesh vs New Zealand matches is not filled with high drama or traditional rivalry, but it tells an inspiring story. From one-sided thrashings in the early 2000s to nail-biters in World Cups and home series wins, Bangladesh has earned its place as a worthy opponent.
And while New Zealand continues to set high standards, the Tigers are slowly but surely closing in.
Also Read About –
