The Sri Lanka national cricket team vs new zealand national cricket team timeline covers more than four decades of international cricket, featuring World Cup encounters, memorable Test victories, outstanding individual performances, and close T20I contests. New Zealand made the stronger start in their early meetings, but Sri Lanka gradually established themselves as a competitive force across all three formats.
Their next scheduled contest is the 2027 tour of New Zealand, featuring three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Test matches. Here is the complete upcoming schedule, followed by the important matches, head-to-head history, key players.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Upcoming Schedule 2027
Sri Lanka are scheduled to tour New Zealand from January to February 2027 for an eight-match international series. The tour begins with ODIs, moves to T20Is, and concludes with two Test matches.
| Date | Match | Venue |
| 16 January 2027 | 1st ODI | McLean Park, Napier |
| 19 January 2027 | 2nd ODI | Basin Reserve, Wellington |
| 22 January 2027 | 3rd ODI | University of Otago Oval, Dunedin |
| 26 January 2027 | 1st T20I | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| 29 January 2027 | 2nd T20I | Saxton Oval, Nelson |
| 31 January 2027 | 3rd T20I | Saxton Oval, Nelson |
| 4–8 February 2027 | 1st Test | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
| 12–16 February 2027 | 2nd Test | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Record
The Sri Lanka national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team have faced each other in Test, ODI, and T20I cricket. New Zealand have the advantage in the overall records, particularly in ODIs and T20Is, while Sri Lanka have recorded important Test victories.
| Format | Matches Played | New Zealand Won | Sri Lanka Won | Draw | Tied | No Result |
| Test | 42 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 108 | 54 | 44 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| T20I | 29 | 17 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Historical Overview of Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Cricket
The teams’ international history began before Sri Lanka became one of the leading sides in world cricket. New Zealand won their early meetings, but Sri Lanka improved through the 1990s and became particularly competitive in Asian conditions.
Their matches have since produced major tournament results, long Test contests, and memorable performances from players such as Kumar Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kane Williamson, and Rachin Ravindra.
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline
1979: New Zealand Win the First ODI
Sri Lanka and New Zealand first met in men’s ODI cricket on 9 June 1979 at Trent Bridge in England during the Cricket World Cup. New Zealand won by nine wickets, giving them an early advantage in the teams’ international record.
Sri Lanka were still developing as a team at that stage. Their experience against established international sides helped them prepare for the challenges of top-level cricket in the years that followed.
1983: New Zealand Win the First Test Series
The teams played their first Test matches in March 1983. New Zealand won the opening Test in Christchurch by an innings and 25 runs before taking the second match in Wellington by six wickets.
The two victories gave New Zealand a strong start in Test cricket against Sri Lanka. The visitors would need more time and experience to compete consistently in the longest format.
1992–1995: Sri Lanka Record Important Test Victories
Sri Lanka secured their first Test victory over New Zealand in Colombo in 1992, winning by nine wickets. It was an important result for a team working to establish itself in international Test cricket.
In 1995, Sri Lanka won a Test in Napier by 241 runs. The victory was a landmark achievement because it marked their first Test win outside Asia. It also showed that Sri Lanka could succeed in overseas conditions rather than relying only on home advantage.
1996: Sri Lanka Become World Cup Champions
Sri Lanka won the 1996 Cricket World Cup, defeating Australia in the final. Although New Zealand were not their opponents in the final, the title changed how Sri Lanka were viewed in international limited-overs cricket.
Their attacking opening approach, strong middle order, and effective spin bowling became major features of their ODI game. This success laid the foundation for more competitive performances against New Zealand and other established teams.
2006: Sri Lanka Win Their First T20I Meeting
The first men’s T20I between Sri Lanka and New Zealand took place in Wellington on 22 December 2006. Sri Lanka won by 18 runs under the Duckworth–Lewis method.
Sri Lanka also defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy. These results added to Sri Lanka’s growing record in limited-overs cricket and gave the teams a new format in which to compete.
2009: Sri Lanka Sweep the Test Series
Sri Lanka won both Tests during New Zealand’s 2009 tour. The hosts took the first match by 202 runs and the second by 96 runs.
The results reflected Sri Lanka’s strength at home, where their batters and spinners were familiar with the playing conditions. New Zealand faced a difficult task against a side that was becoming increasingly confident in Test cricket.
2011: Sri Lanka Win the World Cup Quarter-Final
One of the most memorable ODI matches between the teams came in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup quarter-final.
Sri Lanka scored 265/9, with captain Kumar Sangakkara making 111 and Mahela Jayawardene adding 66. Muttiah Muralitharan then took four wickets for 25 runs as New Zealand were bowled out for 153.
Sri Lanka won by 113 runs and advanced to the semi-finals. Sangakkara’s century and Muralitharan’s bowling made this a major match in the teams’ World Cup history.
2012: Sri Lanka Win a T20 World Cup Super Over
Sri Lanka and New Zealand met in the Super Eight stage of the 2012 ICC World Twenty20. Both teams scored 174, forcing the match into a Super Over.
Sri Lanka won the Super Over to claim a memorable victory. The result showed how close the contest could be in T20 cricket, where a single over can decide the outcome after the main innings finish level.
2015: New Zealand Beat Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup
New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 98 runs during the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Batting first, New Zealand posted 331/6, putting Sri Lanka under pressure with a demanding target.
Sri Lanka were dismissed for 233, giving New Zealand a convincing win. The match was one of the early results in New Zealand’s successful run to the tournament final.
2019: New Zealand Win the World Cup Opener
New Zealand faced Sri Lanka in the opening match of their 2019 Cricket World Cup campaign. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 136, although captain Dimuth Karunaratne remained unbeaten on 52.
New Zealand chased the target without losing a wicket and won by ten wickets. The result gave New Zealand a confident start to the tournament and highlighted their strong bowling and controlled batting performance.
Later that year, Sri Lanka produced a memorable T20I performance against New Zealand. Lasith Malinga took four wickets in four consecutive balls, helping Sri Lanka win the match by 37 runs. New Zealand, however, won the three-match T20I series 2–1.
2023: New Zealand Win Two Tests Against Sri Lanka
The March 2023 Test series featured a dramatic finish in Christchurch. New Zealand won the first Test by two wickets, with Kane Williamson scoring an unbeaten 121 to guide the hosts to victory in the final innings.
New Zealand won the second Test in Wellington by an innings and 58 runs. Williamson scored 215, while Henry Nicholls remained unbeaten on 200.
The series was significant for the World Test Championship. Sri Lanka needed strong results to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive, but New Zealand’s victories ended those hopes.
2024: Sri Lanka Win the Test Series 2–0
Sri Lanka responded strongly when New Zealand toured the island in September 2024. The hosts won the first Test by 63 runs and the second by an innings and 154 runs, completing a 2–0 series win.
Sri Lanka’s batting was a major factor in the result, with Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis among the important contributors. The series marked a strong return for Sri Lanka after their Test defeats in New Zealand the previous year.
Sri Lanka also won the ODI series against New Zealand in November 2024 by two matches to one. New Zealand took the final ODI, but Sri Lanka had already secured the series.
2025: New Zealand Secure an ODI Series Win
New Zealand hosted Sri Lanka for an ODI series in January 2025. The home team won the first match by nine wickets and the second by 113 runs, securing the series before the final game.
Sri Lanka finished on a positive note by winning the third ODI by 140 runs. Despite that result, New Zealand took the series 2–1.
The series added another example of how results can shift between matches, even when one team has already established an overall advantage.
2026: New Zealand Beat Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup
New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 61 runs in their T20 World Cup meeting on 25 February 2026. New Zealand recovered from a difficult position to finish on 168/7, with Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie helping the team post a competitive total.
Sri Lanka struggled during the chase and finished on 107/8. Rachin Ravindra scored 32 runs and took four wickets for 27 runs, playing a decisive part in New Zealand’s win.
The result added another major tournament meeting to the teams’ history ahead of their scheduled 2027 tour.
Key Players in Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Cricket History
Several players have shaped this fixture through important innings, decisive bowling spells, and performances in ICC tournaments.
Sri Lanka’s Key Players
- Kumar Sangakkara: His 111 in the 2011 World Cup quarter-final helped Sri Lanka set a match-winning total.
- Mahela Jayawardene: His batting played an important role in Sri Lanka’s success in major ODI competitions.
- Muttiah Muralitharan: His four-wicket spell in the 2011 quarter-final helped bowl New Zealand out for 153.
- Lasith Malinga: His four wickets in four consecutive balls in a 2019 T20I became one of the standout moments in this fixture.
- Kamindu Mendis: He was among Sri Lanka’s important batting contributors during the 2024 Test series.
New Zealand’s Key Players
- Kane Williamson: His unbeaten 121 in the 2023 Christchurch Test helped New Zealand win a close match.
- Henry Nicholls: His unbeaten 200 in the second Test in Wellington in 2023 helped New Zealand secure an innings victory.
- Rachin Ravindra: His 32 runs and four wickets were central to New Zealand’s 2026 T20 World Cup win over Sri Lanka.
- Mitchell Santner: He contributed with the bat during New Zealand’s recovery in the same 2026 World Cup match.
Wrapping Up
The Sri Lanka national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline reflects how both teams have developed through decades of international cricket. From New Zealand’s early victories to Sri Lanka’s World Cup performances and their 2024 Test series win, the fixture has produced important moments in all three formats.
Their scheduled tour in January and February 2027 will add another chapter to this history. With eight matches planned across ODIs, T20Is, and Tests, fans will have several opportunities to see how the teams match up in different conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When did Sri Lanka and New Zealand first play each other?
They first met in men’s ODI cricket on 9 June 1979 at Trent Bridge in England. New Zealand won the match by nine wickets.
Q2. When did Sri Lanka and New Zealand first play a Test match?
Their first Test match took place in Christchurch in March 1983. New Zealand won by an innings and 25 runs.
Q3. Which team has won more ODIs between Sri Lanka and New Zealand?
New Zealand have historically won more ODI matches between the two teams. The exact head-to-head total changes as new matches are played.
Q4. What was the result of the 2024 Test series?
Sri Lanka won the two-match Test series 2–0. They won the first Test by 63 runs and the second by an innings and 154 runs.
Q5. When will Sri Lanka next tour New Zealand?
Sri Lanka are scheduled to tour New Zealand from 16 January to 16 February 2027. The tour includes three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Tests.
Q6. Who won the 2026 T20 World Cup match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand?
New Zealand won by 61 runs on 25 February 2026. Rachin Ravindra contributed 32 runs and took four wickets for 27 runs.