World’s best international Cricket teams in 2025: Top 5

As the cricketing fraternity welcomes 2026, where major events like Men's T20 World Cup, Women's T20 World Cup, and several series under the World Test Championship are to be played, the departing year was nothing short of breathtaking action in international cricket. Global cricket returned to Pakistan for the first time since 2008, whereas, the United Arab Emirates hosted a couple of showpiece events.

While powerhouse sides like the West Indies and England tried their best throughout the year, the results hardly went in their favour. On the other hand, other giants in the arena continued to give a testament of their prowess, proving that the international formats are here to stay amid the rising popularity of franchise-based T20 leagues. Today, CricTracker lists down five countries with most wins in men's cricket in 2025.

Here are the top five most successful men's teams in international cricket in 2025

5. South Africa

The team with the fifth-most number of wins in international cricket is South Africa. Also known as the Proteas, the side was led by multiple captains across formats in the year, with Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram being the most notable leaders. Among the major victories achieved by South Africa has to be the World Test Championship 2025, where they beat Australia in the finals to lift their maiden ICC title.

The Proteas played 43 matches in the year, and were fairly successful in Tests, where they also whitewashed the Indians at home in the two-match series. Their campaign in the Champions Trophy could not go beyond as they lost to New Zealand in a closely contested semi-final at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Played — 43, Won — 21, Lost — 22, Draw — 0, No Result(s) - 1

4. Australia

It may come as a slight surprise, but Australia aren't in the top three sides with most international wins in the calendar year 2025. However, they boast an incredible win percentage, winning on 60.52 occasions of the 38 matches they played. They started the year by beating India in the New Year's Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

They were outplayed in the Champions Trophy, and later, in the WTC Final as well. At home, they marked a crucial ODI series win against India, winning 2-1, but lost the T20Is. However, their year ended with a loss against England in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, despite having already won the series under the joint leadership of Steven Smith and Pat Cummins.

Played — 38, Won — 23, Lost — 11, Drawn — 0, No Result(s) - 4

3. Pakistan

Like it has been the case for years now, Pakistan were also among the teams that showed great courage and determination to win. In a major event at home — the Champions Trophy, Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals, but they made impressive performances throughout the year afterwards. In total, they collected 30 wins out of 56 matches, winning more than half the matches played.

The Men in Green qualified for the finals of the Asia Cup, up against the Suryakumar Yadav-led India. However, they lost to the Indians in the continental event, despite having a wonderful series otherwise. In three matches against India in 2025, Pakistan lost in all the encounters. In what was otherwise a remarkable year, Pakistan will be proud when they look back at their yearly data.

Played — 56, Won — 30, Lost — 26, Drawn — 0, No Results — 0

2. India

India went through a major transitional phase in Tests in 2025, as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from the format, allowing the board to consider Shubman Gill as new leader. After Rohit had led his troops brilliantly for the Champions Trophy triumph, Gill carried forward the success with a satisfactory performance in the five-match series against England, which was drawn 2-2.

India then won the Asia Cup, beating the Men in Green in the summit clash. Their year ended with a multi-format assignment against South Africa, where they lost both the Tests, won the ODIs 2-1, and clinched the five-match series 3-1. When the Indians look back, they will be extremely satisfied, as their win percentage stayed almost 69% this year.

Played — 45, Won — 31, Lost — 11, Drawn — 1 No Result(s) - 2

1. New Zealand

Known as one of the most consistent teams across formats in international cricket, the year 2025 definitely belonged to New Zealand, with 33 wins in 47 matches. Their first quarter saw them do wonders on the Asian soil, as they also reached the finals of the Champions Trophy. However, Rohit Sharma & Co. were too hot to handle, as the BlackCaps faltered on the night it mattered the most.

Even though they could not lift any major trophies, bilateral wins were not uncommon for the side. They played a total of 47 games in 2025, maintaining a whopping 70.21 in win percentage. They are also the only team with single-digit losses among the top five sides, having faced defeat in only nine games. They would be eyeing for a similar or an even better 2026.

Played — 47, Won — 33, Lost — 9, Drawn — 1, No Result(s) - 4