New Zealand vs Bangladesh is an interesting contest in international T20 cricket. The two teams have met several times in bilateral series and ICC tournaments, producing a mixture of high-scoring games, close finishes and memorable bowling performances. New Zealand vs Bangladesh Head-to-Head in T20Is
As of May 2, 2026, New Zealand and Bangladesh have played 22 men’s T20 internationals against each other. New Zealand have won 16 matches, Bangladesh have won 5, while 1 match ended without a result.
New Zealand therefore have a clear advantage in the overall T20I head-to-head record. However, Bangladesh have also produced some notable victories, particularly when playing at home.
New Zealand vs Bangladesh T20I Head-to-Head Record
| Category | New Zealand | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 22 | 22 |
| Wins | 16 | 5 |
| Losses | 5 | 16 |
| No Result | 1 | 1 |
| First T20I | 2007 | 2007 |
| Latest T20I | 2 May 2026 | 2 May 2026 |
The overall record shows New Zealand’s dominance in this fixture. Bangladesh, however, have made significant progress in T20 cricket and have shown that they can compete with New Zealand, particularly in home conditions. New Zealand vs Bangladesh Head-to-Head in T20Is
First T20I Between New Zealand and Bangladesh
New Zealand and Bangladesh first met in men’s T20I cricket in 2007.
Since then, their rivalry has continued across different generations of players. New Zealand have traditionally entered the fixture with considerable T20 experience, while Bangladesh have gradually developed a stronger group of specialists for the shortest format.
Players such as Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson and Tim Southee have represented New Zealand in different periods, while Bangladesh have featured stars such as Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman and other leading players.
New Zealand’s Overall Dominance
New Zealand have won 16 of the 22 T20Is between the teams, compared with Bangladesh’s five victories. One match was abandoned without a result.
This makes New Zealand the statistically more successful team in the head-to-head record.
The difference has been especially noticeable in matches played outside Bangladesh. New Zealand have frequently used their pace-bowling resources and aggressive batting to put Bangladesh under pressure.
However, conditions in Bangladesh can significantly change the nature of the contest. Slower pitches and turning surfaces have occasionally allowed Bangladesh’s bowlers to cause major problems for New Zealand’s batting lineup.
Bangladesh’s Famous 2021 T20I Series Win
One of the most memorable chapters in this rivalry came in September 2021, when Bangladesh hosted New Zealand for a five-match T20I series.
Bangladesh won the series 3-2, securing their first T20I series victory over New Zealand.
The opening match was particularly remarkable. Bangladesh bowled New Zealand out for just 60 runs, which remains New Zealand’s lowest T20I total.
Bangladesh’s spin and pace attack exploited the difficult Mirpur conditions. Nasum Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman were among the bowlers who caused significant problems for New Zealand’s batting.
The series demonstrated how home conditions could alter the balance between the two teams.
New Zealand’s Lowest T20I Total Against Bangladesh
New Zealand’s lowest T20I total in this rivalry is 60 all out, recorded at Mirpur on 1 September 2021.
The innings remains one of the most dramatic batting collapses in the history of New Zealand’s T20I cricket.
Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, preventing New Zealand from building partnerships.
The performance became an important moment in Bangladesh’s development as a T20I side.
Brendon McCullum’s Record-Breaking 123
One of the most memorable individual performances in this fixture came from former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum.
McCullum scored 123 runs from 58 balls against Bangladesh during the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 in Pallekele.
His innings included powerful strokeplay and helped New Zealand produce a commanding total.
At the time, the innings was the highest individual score in men’s T20I cricket. It remains the highest individual score in the New Zealand-Bangladesh T20I rivalry.
Colin Munro’s Century
Another major New Zealand batting performance came from Colin Munro.
Munro scored 101 runs from 54 balls against Bangladesh at Mount Maunganui in 2017.
His century was built around aggressive hitting and demonstrated New Zealand’s ability to produce explosive batting performances in the middle and latter stages of an innings.
Munro became one of New Zealand’s most destructive T20 batters during this period.
2023 T20I Meetings
New Zealand and Bangladesh met again during New Zealand’s tour in December 2023.
The first T20I in Napier on 27 December 2023 was won by Bangladesh by five wickets. Bangladesh chased New Zealand’s 134/9, reaching 137/8.
The second match on 29 December 2023 ended without a result because of weather.
New Zealand then won the third T20I at Mount Maunganui on 31 December 2023. Bangladesh were restricted to 110 all out, while New Zealand reached 95/5 in a rain-affected match and won by 17 runs under the DLS method.
The three-match series therefore ended 1-1, with one match abandoned.
2026 T20I Series in Bangladesh
The latest chapter of the rivalry came when New Zealand toured Bangladesh in 2026.
The three-match T20I series was scheduled for Chattogram and Dhaka, with matches on April 27, April 29 and May 2. The ICC confirmed the venues and schedule before the tour.
Bangladesh won the first T20I in Chattogram by six wickets.
New Zealand scored 182/6, but Bangladesh chased the target successfully, reaching 183/4.
The second T20I was abandoned because of rain.
New Zealand then won the third T20I in Dhaka by six wickets under the DLS method on May 2, 2026. The result meant the three-match series finished 1-1, with one no-result.
Key T20I Head-to-Head Statistics
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total T20Is | 22 |
| New Zealand Wins | 16 |
| Bangladesh Wins | 5 |
| No Results | 1 |
| Highest Individual Score | Brendon McCullum – 123 |
| New Zealand’s Lowest Total | 60 |
| Latest T20I | 2 May 2026 |
| Latest Winner | New Zealand |
| 2026 Series Result | 1-1 |
The figures show that New Zealand have enjoyed considerably more success across the overall rivalry, although Bangladesh have won important matches and series, especially at home.
Important Players in the Rivalry
Several prominent cricketers have contributed to New Zealand vs Bangladesh T20Is.
For New Zealand, Brendon McCullum, Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner have all played important roles across different periods.
McCullum’s 123 remains the standout individual batting performance in the fixture, while Munro’s century is another memorable New Zealand innings.
For Bangladesh, players such as Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed and Towhid Hridoy have contributed to the team’s performances against New Zealand.
Mustafizur and Nasum were particularly influential during Bangladesh’s famous 2021 home series.
New Zealand vs Bangladesh in ICC T20 World Cups
The two teams have also faced each other in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup competition.
Their World Cup meetings have added another dimension to the rivalry because both sides have often entered global tournaments with different combinations of experienced and emerging players.
New Zealand’s 2012 World Twenty20 victory included McCullum’s famous 123, while Bangladesh’s development in T20 cricket has produced stronger performances against major opponents in more recent years.
Home Conditions Matter
Conditions have played an important role in this rivalry.
New Zealand’s grounds can offer pace and bounce, which can suit their seam bowlers. Bangladesh, on the other hand, often play on slower surfaces where spinners and variations from pace bowlers can become particularly effective.
The 2021 series in Mirpur illustrated this difference dramatically when New Zealand were dismissed for 60.
Bangladesh’s home advantage was also evident in the 2026 series, when they won the opening T20I before New Zealand recovered to level the series.
Recent Head-to-Head Form
The most recent meetings show that Bangladesh are capable of challenging New Zealand.
Bangladesh won the first T20I of the 2026 series by six wickets, while New Zealand won the final match by six wickets under the DLS method. The second match was abandoned.
The 2023 series also ended 1-1 after Bangladesh won the opening match, the second was abandoned, and New Zealand won the third.
These recent results show that although New Zealand lead the overall head-to-head record, Bangladesh have been able to produce competitive results in recent bilateral series.
Conclusion
The New Zealand vs Bangladesh head-to-head record in T20Is currently stands at 22 matches, with New Zealand winning 16, Bangladesh winning 5, and 1 match ending without a result.
New Zealand have therefore been the more successful side statistically. However, Bangladesh have recorded some memorable victories, including their 3-2 series win in 2021 and their six-wicket victory in the opening match of the 2026 series.
The rivalry has also produced outstanding individual performances, including Brendon McCullum’s 123 off 58 balls and New Zealand’s historic 60 all out in Mirpur.
With both teams continuing to develop their T20 squads, New Zealand vs Bangladesh remains an interesting international T20I matchup.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many T20Is have New Zealand and Bangladesh played?
New Zealand and Bangladesh have played 22 men’s T20 internationals as of May 2, 2026.
2. Who has won more T20Is between New Zealand and Bangladesh?
New Zealand have won 16 matches, while Bangladesh have won 5. One match ended without a result.
3. Has Bangladesh ever won a T20I series against New Zealand?
Yes. Bangladesh won a five-match T20I series against New Zealand 3-2 in 2021 in Bangladesh.
4. What is the highest individual score in New Zealand vs Bangladesh T20Is?
Former New Zealand batter Brendon McCullum holds the record with 123 runs from 58 balls, scored during the 2012 World Twenty20.
5. When was the latest New Zealand vs Bangladesh T20I?
The latest meeting was played on 2 May 2026 in Dhaka. New Zealand won by six wickets under the DLS method.