Blackcaps batter Kane Williamson is embracing a new backseat role in the test environment, after stepping down as captain.
The veteran will still lead the one-day international and Twenty20 sides, but has been replaced by Tim Southee in the longest format of the game.
Williamson had been test captain since 2016, taking over from Brendon McCullum and leading New Zealand to the inaugural World Test Championship title last year.
He admits the decision to step down is partly to manage the increasing workload of international game, but he has never contemplated walking away from test cricket entirely.
"No, not at all,' Williamson said. "I certainly love playing the test game.
"It's literally just around trying to manage my energy as best as possible - not just me, but what's in the best interest of the team."
"But it's exciting and change is a little bit inevitable, and we're seeing that today. It's nice to be excited by that and personally adopting a new role.
"For me, it will be about adopting a new role now and it will be slightly different, but still supporting Timmy as much as I can.
"It's different, it's change, it's a bit of transition and it's not an overnight thing, but I'm looking forward to walking that path."
With Southee entrusted to lead the Blackcaps, opener Tom Latham has been named as vice-captain with the squad to tour Pakistan.
Williamson expects Southee to flourish in the role and conversations between the pair of what he can expect have already taken place.
"It does come with added work and responsibility," he said. "It is a privilege and an honour, but a challenge as well.
"You are well supported and I have been over the years, but when you do it for a long period of time, with so much cricket on, the volume and nature of it, it's a really nice opportunity to share that and Tim's been part of the leadership of this environment for a while.
"He's largely aware of some of those added parts of the role that he's taking over. It's exciting and a great opportunity… looking forward to working alongside Tim."
NZ Cricket boss David White has praised Williamson for his "remarkable" reign as test captain and hopes the decision will help prolong his already storied career.
"Kane is one of our all-time greats, and our priority is to ensure he enjoys his cricket and plays for New Zealand for as long as possible," he said.
"He's a brilliant leader, and the success the team has achieved during his time in the longest and arguably toughest format of the game has been nothing short of remarkable.
"Statistically, he's the most successful test captain we've ever had, which culminated in the team rising to the No.1 ICC test ranking at the start of 2021 and the eventual victory in the ICC World Test Championship Final in June that year."
