Four years on from their first appearance together, Blackcaps spinners Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi will be reunited once more, named in New Zealand's touring squad to face Pakistan later this month.
In 2018, the pair played all three tests together as part of a 2-1 series victory - coincidentally also against Pakistan - in the UAE, arguably one of the Blackcaps' greatest achievements in recent times.
Patel, 34, made his debut in the first test where he took seven wickets in an incredible four-run win, including 5/59 in the second innings, and finished with 13 wickets in the series.
Sodhi meanwhile didn't fare as well, taking just three wickets in two tests and was dropped after a defeat by an innings and 16 runs in Dubai as Pakistan squared the series.
But after establishing himself as a premier spinner in Twenty20 cricket, Sodhi has been recalled for the two-test series starting in Karachi on Boxing Day after losing his spot as New Zealand's second spinner to Will Somerville.
And after Patel has taken the mantle of New Zealand's best red ball spinner, notably with a 10-wicket haul against India in late 2021, the reunion with Sodhi is one to relish.
"When I debuted in 2018, I played alongside Ish," Patel told Newshub. "I've had a long relationship with Ish, we kind of grew up playing cricket in Auckland.
"He loves talking spin bowling, it's always awesome to have him around.
"I think we'll bounce well off each other, we complement each other quite nicely.
"I'm looking forward to having opportunities to do that with him again."
But despite the idea of playing on the subcontinent playing into the spinners' hands, Patel acknowledges the reality of facing Pakistan in Pakistan won't be one for bowlers to savour.
Pakistan are currently 2-0 down in a three-test series against Brendon McCullum's England side, in a contest where bowlers have been at the mercy of batters.
In the series-opening test in Rawalpindi, England plundered a record 506/4 in just 75 overs - the most runs scored on a single day's play.
And while the Blackcaps themselves won't play in Rawalpindi - with the two tests to be held in Karachi and Multan respectively - Patel knows not to expect things to fall into his lap when the series begins later this month.
"I'm not sure if I'd call them 'spin friendly' to be honest, looking at the England-Pakistan games," he joked.
"[There's] certainly a lot more favour, in terms of spin bowling. It's pretty exciting and another new challenge.
"The cricket's going to be slightly different in Pakistan. I'm really looking forward to that."
Aside from himself and Sodhi, Patel also teases a return to the bowling crease could be on the cards for former captain Kane Williamson.
As skipper, Williamson was reluctant to use himself as a bowler, taking just one wicket at an average of 107, compared to his career record of 30 wickets at just over 40.
But after the 32-year-old stood down from leadership earlier this week, Patel wouldn't be surprised to see some part-time spin from Williamson as and when called upon.
"We've all got to be prepared for everything really," he added. "The more people that are upskilling their bowling element, it's always adding value.
"The nature of cricket now is people trying to add value everywhere around the park.
"It's great to see guys like Kane continue to develop their game and their spin bowling craft.
"There's no doubt, Kane can still bowl a few overs in international cricket as well."
The Blackcaps face Pakistan in two tests and three ODIs in December and January, before returning in April 2023 for five Twenty20 Internationals and five more ODIs.
