As always, Christmas Day will be a muted affair for the Black Caps cricketers as they prepare for a Boxing Day Test on home soil.
On form, Kane Williamson's men are firm favourites to beat Pakistan at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
A clean sweep of the two-match series will lift them closer to a place in next year's inaugural ICC world test championship final.
Veteran commentator Bryan Waddle speaks to Corin Dann.
