Series win over West Indies and India at home. Series win over West Indies away. New Zealand should be on a roll with that kind of momentum behind them. The only problem is all of that happened three months ago. So there really is no momentum to draw from, unlike Pakistan who are in red-hot form.

But the only way forward for New Zealand is also their best hope of posing a threat: staying patient, playing time and building an advantage that can be capitalised upon. It isn't an easy mandate though with Ross Taylor's injury leaving the middle-order under-stocked and New Zealand's opening partnership having hit the rocks recently - it has provided only one century stand in the lasts two years. The return of Kane Williamson though will perk up the visitors and his proficiency against spin will come in handy, as will BJ Watling's tenacity and Brendon McCullum's aggression.

Pakistan haven't had better luck with their own top-two either. But the rest of the line-up has proven to be incredibly resilient recently. Azhar Ali, Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq are as strong as backbone as any and Sarfraz Ahmed has developed a good habit of providing momentum down the order. And they have learned to click together.

The more telling battle will be between either side's spinners. Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah might not have much mystery about them, but their manipulation of flight and line has been impressive for a pair who were forced together. Mark Craig and Ish Sodhi have to find a way to match them in unfamiliar conditions.

Considering how packed the cricket calendar can be, there is reason for a double-take when you see that New Zealand and Pakistan have met each other only five times in Tests over the past decade. So both teams will want to gauge their opponents and hope they don't blink first.

(Cricinfo)