Conditions in Pakistan are a real test for fast bowlers - Tim Southee

New Zealand Test captain Tim Southee feels the conditions in Pakistan are a real test for any fast bowlers.

Southee was named Test captain after veteran Kane Williamson decided to go aside after more than six years in the job. Williamson had indicated that he will remain captain in white-ball cricket and would concentrate on the next limited-overs World Cups.

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The fast bowler's first duty as Test skipper will be on the Pakistan tour, which begins today in Karachi. "I don't imagine too dissimilar to Kane; I played a lot of cricket with him and learned a lot from his captaincy and leadership over 6-7 years he did the job; we've been closer together for the last how many years it has been," Southee said in a video posted by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

"So I can't imagine too dissimilar, I think you take bits and pieces from captains and people in leadership roles that you've worked with in the past, and I guess put them into what works for you."

When asked about bowling in Pakistan, where pitches are lower and slower than in New Zealand, Southee said he was looking forward to his first experience in the country.

"I certainly haven't cracked the code, it is a very tough place to come as a pace bowler, and it is always a challenge. It is a new challenge, having played in Pakistan never before, so I am looking forward to this.

"It is great to test you as a bowler; as you say, it is so foreign to what we're used to back home, and I guess as a player, you want to perform in various conditions worldwide. So yeah, it will be a tough tour for the seamers, and we have seen that in the cricket being played in Pakistan.

"I think the way England played was very impressive; they obviously got the players and style which works for them. They played very entertaining cricket coming here, which is a tough place to come and play, and they played some exceptional cricket. We will do our best to get the best out of our side here and the style which suits our players."