New Zealand 153 (Williamson 63, Yasir 3-54) and 249 (Watling 59, Nicholls, Hasan Ali 5-45, Yasir 5-110) beat Pakistan 227 (Babar 62, Boult 4-54) and 171 (Azhar Ali 65, Ajaz 5-59) by four runs
Abu Dhabi: Debutant spinner Ajaz Patel claimed five wickets in the second innings as New Zealand beat Pakistan by four runs on a dramatic fourth day of the opening test in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Pakistan resumed the day on 37 for no loss, needing 139 runs for a victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, but suffered a lower order collapse that resulted in a tense finish at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Pakistan were eventually dismissed for 171 in 58.4 overs.
Azhar Ali (65), who had earlier stitched together an 82-run partnership with Asad Shafiq (45) to keep Pakistan's hopes of a win alive, was the last batsman to fall when he was trapped in front of the wicket by left-armer Patel who finished with 5-59.
The second test will be played in Dubai from Nov. 24-28 before the teams return to Abu Dhabi for the final test from Dec. 3-7.