New Zealand’s T20 World Cup History from 2007 to 2024: Stats, records, milestones, and more

New-Zealand. (Photo by Sanka Vidanagama / AFP) (Photo by SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand, led by Kane Williamson, will travel to the USA and West Indies with the aim of ending their quest for a major title in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Despite having quality players and finishing as runners-up and semi-finalists in several ICC tournaments, the Black Caps have just two world titles under their belt.

Their first success was in the 2000 Champions Trophy and it took them 21 years to clinch another ICC title when they won the maiden World Test Championship (WTC) edition in 2021. Notably, New Zealand suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2021 T20 World Cup final against Australia in Dubai. The Kiwis will once again go in as favourites, but whether they can achieve ultimate glory remains a question.

Let’s take a look at New Zealand’s T20 World Cup history

T20 World Cup 2007, South Africa

New Zealand started their knockout jinx in the first edition of the World Cup itself. Led by Daniel Vettori, the team made it to the semi-finals with an impressive group-stage performance but lost to Pakistan by six wickets. Middle-order batter Craig McMillan was their top scorer in the tournament with 163 runs and the captain led the bowling attack with 11 wickets.

T20 World Cup 2009, England

New Zealand began their 2009 World Cup campaign with a seven-wicket victory over Scotland in a rain-curtailed encounter. They managed to add just one more win in the league stage and suffered three defeats. As a result, they failed to qualify for the knockouts. Captain Brendon McCullum top-scored for New Zealand with 107 runs, while Ian Buttler took the most wickets (6).

Also Read: Australia’s T20 World Cup History from 2007 to 2024: Stats, records, milestones, and more

T20 World Cup 2010, West Indies

The Black Caps had a shaky start to their 2010 WC. Chasing a modest score of 136 runs against Sri Lanka, they dragged the game to the last over and won by just two wickets. Vettori was back in the leadership role but could not get the team to the semi-finals. They lost three matches and won only two in the group stage. Notably, no Kiwi batters have made it to the top 15 run scorers list. Nathan McCullum was the leading wicket-taker with seven scalps.

T20 World Cup 2012, Sri Lanka

For the third consecutive edition, New Zealand failed to qualify for the semi-finals. The Ross Taylor-led side opened the campaign with a 59-run win against Bangladesh, but that was their only win of the tournament. They went on to lose three matches, including two in the Super 8s. Their top scorer was Brendon McCullum who scored 212 runs including a century. Right-arm pacer Tim Southee topped the wicket-takers list with eight scalps.

T20 World Cup 2014, Bangladesh

A 16-run win against Pakistan kicked off their campaign but New Zealand could not continue the momentum. They lost two crucial matches against South Africa and Sri Lanka and failed to enter the semi-finals. Kane Williamson who scored 146 runs was the team’s top scorer. Meanwhile, Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Nathan McCullum, Mitchell McClenaghan and Kyle Mills took four wickets each.

T20 World Cup 2016, India

Kane Williamson and Co. finished the group stage (Group A) as table toppers with eight points. After a series of lacklustre campaigns, New Zealand finally managed to find a place in the last four of the 2016 edition. However, they were handed a seven-wicket defeat by England in the second semi-final. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner led the way with the ball with 10 wickets while opener Martin Guptil’s 140 runs were the best by a Kiwi batter.

Also Read: West Indies’ T20 World Cup history from 2007-2024. Stats, Records milestones, and more

T20 World Cup 2021, India/UAE

The Dark horses aka New Zealand had a dream run as they reached the final of a T20 World Cup for the first time. With four wins from five group matches, Williamson’s team finished second on the table with eight points. This time, New Zealand took revenge by defeating England in the semi-finals to enter the finals. Unfortunately, Australia won the World Cup by eight wickets to claim their maiden T20 title. Williamson finished as their top scorer for the second time in the marquee event (216 runs), while left-arm pacer Trent Boult was their leading wicket-taker with 13 scalps.

T20 World Cup 2022, Australia

New Zealand topped the Group 1 points table with three wins and seven points. They had a strong unit to defend the title, but all hopes were dashed by Pakistan in the first semi-final with a seven-wicket defeat. Middle-order batter Glenn Phillips top-scored for them with 201 runs, while Mitchell Santner’s nine wickets are the most by a Kiwi bowler.

Also Check: T20 World Cup 2024: Rating Teams based on their final squads

New Zealand squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup

New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (C), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.

Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears