Left-arm pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi defended 17 runs in the last over as Pakistan defeated New Zealand by two runs in a thrilling finish to the first Twenty20 international here.
New Zealand needed six off the last delivery to tie the match but experienced batsman Ross Taylor managed just a boundary as New Zealand — set 149 to win — finished at 146-6 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium Wednesday.
The victory gave world number one ranked Pakistan their seventh consecutive win since July and 15th in 17 Twenty20 internationals this year.
Pakistan, who are on a roll after whitewashing Australia 3-0 in Dubai on Sunday, now have a 1-0 lead in the three-match series with the last two matches in Dubai on Friday and Sunday.
Mohammad Hafeez top-scored with 45 in Pakistan's 148-6 after they won the toss and batted.
Taylor finished with a 26-ball 42 not out with three boundaries but could not keep the run rate down as New Zealand needed 53 in the last five overs.
That was in contrast from the first five overs of their innings, dominated by opener Colin Munro's 42-ball 58 with three sixes and six boundaries.
Pakistan's varied bowling, led by Hasan Ali with 3-35, pulled them back significantly.
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed praised his team's 'never-say-die' approach in bowling. "New Zealand are a tough team, but we knew overs 6-12 were crucial and we had to restrict them there," said Sarfraz.
"I thought Shaheen and Hasan were superb and we were once again led admirably by bowlers." Williamson believed his team came close to victory. "We weren't far away, I thought we were quite good for large parts," said Williamson.
"Pakistan pulled back after Munro's knock — they are world number one for a reason."