Matt Henry, the New Zealand pace bowler, has participated in numerous high-stakes and unforgettable series in Pakistan, making significant contributions with both bat and ball during his visits. Most notably during New Zealand’s visit to Pakistan in April 2023, Henry delivered one of his best T20I performances at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium: he achieved an uncommon T20I hat-trick, becoming just the fourth New Zealand bowler to accomplish this feat, by taking out Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed with back-to-back deliveries in the 13th over and later dismissing Shaheen Shah Afridi on the first ball of the 19th over, ending with bowling figures of 3/32 in the match. Although New Zealand lost that game by 88 runs, Henry described the milestone as “very cool” but acknowledged it was bittersweet to reach it “in a losing cause.” His hat-trick stands out as a memorable moment from his tours in Pakistan and was celebrated by both fans and the media.
Previously, in the extended format, Henry also participated in New Zealand’s two-Test series in Pakistan in early 2023. In the second Test in Karachi, he delivered an important innings as a batsman: alongside Ajaz Patel, Henry contributed 104 runs for the tenth wicket, setting a record for New Zealand in Pakistan, and achieved his personal best Test score of 68 not out, helping the team to finish at 449 all out. He also contributed with the ball in that game, claiming early wickets, including Abdullah Shafique’s. During the same series, Henry delivered consistent spells on the Karachi pitch with an economical performance, recording figures of 1/35 in 12 overs on the second day while Pakistan lagged by close to 300 runs.
In addition to his performances, Henry’s participation in tours to Pakistan has featured physical challenges. In January 2023, amid that Test series, he experienced an abdominal strain on the last day of the second Test and was thus pulled from the limited-overs segment of the tour, missing the planned ODI series in both Pakistan and India as New Zealand managed injuries and workloads. In late March 2025, as New Zealand competed in the ICC Champions Trophy (with games hosted partly in locations throughout Pakistan and the UAE), Henry was the top wicket-taker of the tournament until a shoulder injury he suffered while fielding in the semi-final in Lahore sidelined him from the final and the subsequent T20Is against Pakistan. By then, he had remarkably taken 10 wickets with an average close to 16.70, featuring five wickets in the group game against India in Dubai, underscoring his performance before the injury.
Statistically, Matt Henry’s overall ODI performance versus Pakistan is average: in roughly six ODIs, he has claimed 4 wickets for 288 runs, averaging 72.00 with an economy rate of 2.42, indicating that Pakistan’s batsmen typically adapted well to his approach in the 50-over format. Nonetheless, his influence in T20Is and Tests in Pakistan brought him acknowledgment for game-changing performances and steadfast lower-order batting. Outside of the game, Henry has shared favorable thoughts on visiting Pakistan, describing the hat-trick moment as “very special” and considering insights gained from tight schedules and challenging moves between locations.
In conclusion, Matt Henry’s time in Pakistan has featured highlights of individual success—specifically an exceptional T20I hat‑trick and a record-setting tenth‑wicket Test partnership—mixed with injury challenges that limited his involvement. His shows in Lahore and Karachi stand as important sections in his global career, showcasing his capacity to perform under stress with both bat and ball despite the difficulties of unfamiliar conditions and formidable competition.
