The New Zealand vs United Arab Emirates head to head record in all formats highlights the contrast between an established cricketing powerhouse and a rapidly growing associate nation. While New Zealand have consistently featured among the top international teams, the United Arab Emirates have shown steady progress on the global stage, especially in limited-overs cricket. Their encounters, though limited in number, have produced competitive moments and a memorable upset that underlined UAE’s rising potential. This blog takes a detailed look at the complete head-to-head record between New Zealand and UAE across all formats, covering match results, key performances, and important statistics that define this cricketing matchup.
New Zealand vs United Arab Emirates Head to Head in T20 Internationals
The T20 International format is where New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates have met most often, with all their recorded clashes occurring during New Zealand’s tour of the UAE in August 2023. Across this three-match T20I series, both teams showed contrasting strengths — New Zealand’s experience and UAE’s spirited performance led to some memorable games.
| Matches | New Zealand Wins | UAE Wins | Series Result |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | New Zealand won series 2–1 |
Match-by-Match Breakdown
1st T20I – 17 August 2023 (Dubai)
- Result: New Zealand won by 19 runs
- Score: NZ 155/6 (20 overs); UAE 136/10 (19.4 overs)
- Player of the Match: Tim Southee (5/25)
- New Zealand posted a competitive total, with Tim Seifert contributing a quick 55 off 34, and Tim Southee’s five-wicket haul proved decisive in restricting the UAE.
2nd T20I – 19 August 2023 (Dubai)
- Result: UAE won by 7 wickets
- Score: NZ 142/8 (20 overs); UAE 144/3 (15.4 overs)
- Player of the Match: Aayan Khan (3/20)
- UAE produced a historic turnaround — chasing down 143 with ease, led by a strong middle order performance, including a crucial contribution from Muhammad Waseem. This marked the first T20I victory by UAE over New Zealand.
3rd T20I – 20 August 2023 (Dubai)
- Result: New Zealand won by 32 runs
- Score: NZ 166/5 (20 overs); UAE 134/7 (20 overs)
- Player of the Match: Will Young (56)
- New Zealand sealed the series after strong batting contributions by Will Young and Mark Chapman, both scoring fifties. The UAE fought valiantly with a 68-run partnership late in their innings but fell short.
New Zealand vs United Arab Emirates — ODI Match Result
Although New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates have not played bilateral ODI series, they did meet once in an official One Day International (ODI) during the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
Match Summary
- New Zealand Innings: 276/8 in 47 overs
- Roger Twose scored 92 — highest for NZ
- Craig Spearman made 78
- UAE Innings: 167/9 in 47 overs
- Johanne Samarasekera scored 47 (not out)*
- Result: NZ won comfortably by 109 runs
- Player of the Match: Roger Twose
This match was part of the 1996 Wills Cricket World Cup and remains the only ODI encounter between these two teams in official records.
Key Records in New Zealand vs United Arab Emirates Matches
Although New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates have had limited encounters, their matches—primarily in T20 Internationals and the 1996 ODI World Cup—produced some notable individual and team records. Here’s a detailed look:
Highest Team Totals
| Match | Team | Runs | Overs | Ground | Date |
| 3rd T20I, 2023 | New Zealand | 166/5 | 20 overs | Dubai | 20 Aug 2023 |
| 1st T20I, 2023 | New Zealand | 155/6 | 20 overs | Dubai | 17 Aug 2023 |
| 1996 World Cup ODI | New Zealand | 276/8 | 47 overs | Faisalabad | 27 Feb 1996 |
Lowest Team Totals
| Match | Team | Runs | Overs | Ground | Date |
| 2nd T20I, 2023 | New Zealand | 142/8 | 20 overs | Dubai | 19 Aug 2023 |
| 2nd T20I, 2023 | UAE | 144/3 | 15.4 overs | Dubai | 19 Aug 2023 |
| 1996 World Cup ODI | UAE | 167/9 | 47 overs | Faisalabad | 27 Feb 1996 |
Top Individual Batting Performances
| Player | Team | Runs | Match | Date |
| Mark Chapman | New Zealand | 56 | 3rd T20I, 2023 | 20 Aug 2023 |
| Will Young | New Zealand | 56 | 3rd T20I, 2023 | 20 Aug 2023 |
| Roger Twose | New Zealand | 92 | 1996 ODI | 27 Feb 1996 |
| Tim Seifert | New Zealand | 55 | 1st T20I, 2023 | 17 Aug 2023 |
Final Words
The cricketing encounters between New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, though limited, have been both exciting and revealing. New Zealand has clearly dominated the head-to-head across formats, showcasing their experience and depth, particularly in T20Is and the lone ODI encounter in the 1996 World Cup. However, the UAE’s remarkable T20I victory in 2023 highlighted the growing talent and competitiveness of this emerging side, proving that associate nations are capable of producing memorable upsets on the global stage.
As the UAE continues to strengthen its cricketing infrastructure and participate in more ICC events, future clashes against top teams like New Zealand could become more frequent and fiercely contested. Fans can look forward to thrilling matches, standout performances, and evolving rivalries, making the New Zealand vs UAE fixture an interesting one to watch in the years to come.
