Paceman Umar Gul took 3-18 to inspire Pakistan to a thrilling eight-run win in the first of three Twenty20 internationals against England at Dubai Stadium on Thursday.
England, the reigning Twenty20 world champions, were cruising at 4-120 after 17 overs, chasing 145 to win.
However, Gul took two wickets in the 18th over for just three runs to change the complexion of the game, eventually restricting England to 6-136.
Graeme Swann rocked the middle order with a burst of three wickets off eight balls to restrict Pakistan, put into bat, to 6-144 with Shoaib Malik making 39.
Ravi Bopara (39) and Jonny Bairstow (22 not out) had added 33 for the fourth wicket but Gul dismissed Bopara with the fifth ball of the 16th over and then had Jos Butler (three) and Samit Patel (nought) in the next.
With 18 needed off the final over bowled by Junaid Khan, England managed just nine.
England were set on the chase by Kevin Pietersen (33) as they reached 48 by the sixth over but Pakistan came back when Shahid Afridi dismissed the in-form Pietersen.
Pietersen, who made back-to-back hundreds in England’s 4-0 win in the preceding one-day series, holed out to Shafiq.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said the win was pleasing after being routed in the one-dayers.
“I had to face a lot of criticism after the one-day defeats, so it’s pleasing. Every win brings joy,” said Misbah.
“When you’ve got Umar Gul, Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal, three of the top bowlers in T20 cricket, you always have a chance.
“We did put up a challenging total and then Gul was outstanding in the final overs.”
England captain Stuart Broad dismissed suggestions his inexperienced batsmen were to blame, though he acknowledged his team should have done better when needing only 35 runs with five overs to go.
“You have to credit the way they finished their bowling,” he said.
“Umar Gul is one of the best Twenty20 bowlers in the world and he showed his class today.
“(But) we probably didn’t play him as well as we could have done.”
The second match will be played in Dubai on Saturday, while the final game is in Abu Dhabi on February 27.