Statistically there is little between New Zealand and Pakistan on the International Cricket Council's test rankings - just four points separate sixth and seventh on the lower rungs of the ladder.
Usually a New Zealand test side can expect to be on the receiving end, and this three-test series may end no differently in Napier next month. But Pakistani unpredictability is legendary and should make for compelling viewing after the toss at University Oval on Tuesday.
While a New Zealand batting collapse is a regular occurrence, Pakistan rarely play to a set schedule. Wild mood and performance swings go hand in hand - they could stand accused of suspiciously underperforming one game then fiddling with the ball to gain an unfair advantage the next.
Disharmony emerges periodically - captain Younis Khan opted out of this tour because he felt he had "lost command" of the team during the one-day series in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.
In a perfect world, this series would have been held on the subcontinent - but a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore eight months ago ensures Pakistan are denied home advantage for the foreseeable future.
Yet once they acclimatise to the chill, they have a bowling attack to make Dunedin, Wellington and Napier a home away from home.
Umar Gul and Mohammad Aamer have already made life difficult for New Zealand's limited overs batsmen this year with reverse swing, while a Mohammad Asif on the comeback trail should complete a daunting pace trio given the University Oval wicket sports a decent covering of grass.
And in new offspinner Saeed Ajmal - and 54-test leggie Danish Kaneria - they have the capability to match Daniel Vettori's deeds on the flatter wickets expected at the Basin Reserve and McLean Park.
"We have a bowling attack that can get 20 wickets," said coach Intikhab Alam, who tempered that optimism with: "Batting will be a big challenge for us.
"We have to get runs on the board. If you win the toss [and bat] you have to bat four or five sessions."
Vettori would share those sentiments and in an attempt to prolong the game to five days, he has six specialist batsmen although unfortunately the in-form and injured Jesse Ryder is not among them.
Peter Fulton and Grant Elliott are recalled - the latter for Jacob Oram - and neither boast encouraging numbers.
New Zealand can at least take heart from Pakistan's latest test series, a 0-2 loss in Sri Lanka in July.
Set a moderate 168 to win the first test, Pakistan capitulated for 117 on the final day; they were then routed for 90 on day one of the second.
With Younis Khan searching for form domestically, much will depend on caretaker captain Yousuf Mohammad to steady the ship.
Ominously the right hander averages an impressive 54.86 from 82 tests; his aggregate of 7023 is only eclipsed by Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Yousuf has fond memories of two previous visits to New Zealand. He crafted his maiden test double century in the drawn test at Christchurch in 2001. Two years later he contributed 60 and an unbeaten 88 in Wellington as Pakistan won by seven wickets.
Shane Bond was yet to be discovered in early 2001 and two years later he was sidelined by one of those injuries that has blighted his career.
Now, finally, the 34-year-old is set for his cap against Pakistan, and first test since South Africa at Johannesburg two years ago.
The final phase of his return to international cricket will be keenly followed, though there are suggestions the wicket will not be as seamer-friendly as history suggests.
Although Otago were blitzed for 88 on the opening morning of their Plunket Shield match a fortnight ago, groundsman Tom Tamati blamed an inexperienced batting line-up for the collapse - not a minefield.
He even advocated playing two spinners - previously unheard of at the venue - and a suggestion that might offer Jeetan Patel a glimmer of hope.
