Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf said the cold and seaming conditions in New Zealand would present stiff challenge to batsmen.

Sounding out a note of caution before the three-Test series starting November 24, Yousuf, who will lead the team in the series after Younus Khan withdrew from the tour, said on all previous tours to New Zealand, the conditions had been a challenge.

"And the fact is that we are going to New Zealand when the season has not started there properly so the weather would also be cold," he said.

"I think we are going to encounter seaming wickets and batting on them would be a big challenge for us," he said.

Yousuf said this was one reason why he had asked for the board and selectors to include Misbah-ul-Haq in the touring side as he was an experienced campaigner with a good technique.

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"We will definitely miss Younus Khan on the tour as he has been our leading batsman at the crucial number three position," Yousuf said.

Yousuf, however, said Pakistan had a stronger and more balanced bowling attack than New Zealand.

"Mohammad Asif is also back in the team and he is one of the best new ball bowlers in international cricket today and he will relish bowling on the New Zealand pitches so we are expecting a lot from him," Yousuf added.

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