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Pakistan's captain Misbah Ul Haq (R) and batsman Asad Sharif make a run as South African bowler Morne Morkel (C) watches on during the third day of their first Test at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on October 16. (AFP)
Pakistan handed South Africa their first Test defeat in almost two years and ended their 15-Test unbeaten run after romping to a seven-wicket victory with more than a day to spare in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Pakistan suffered a few jitters as they lost their opening three wickets for a paltry seven runs before overhauling a small second innings target of 40 to triumph in the first Test at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Captain Misbah-ul-Haq hit a flourishing six for the winning runs near the end of the fourth day.
"It's unbelievable, a much needed win for all of us," he said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Misbah (28 not out) and fellow veteran Younus Khan (nine not out) steadied the run chase after the first three batsmen were caught behind off the South African fast bowler pair Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn.
Pakistan deserved the win after establishing a substantive first innings lead to set the platform for their success.
"When we got them out for under 250 we thought we could do something if we got a sizeable total for ourselves which is what we did," added Misbah.
South Africa, who went top of the Test rankings last year after a series win in England, last lost to Sri Lanka in Durban in December 2011.
"It's disappointing because we set high standards for ourselves but we are still not up there where we want to be," said South Africa captain Graeme Smith.
The second Test in the two-match series starts in Dubai on Wednesday.
PAKISTAN INNINGS
Pakistan beat South Africa by a comfortable seven wickets to lead 1-0 in the two-Test series in the UAE.
At the Zayed Cricket Stadium, South Africa scored 232 in their second innings as Saeed Ajmal bagged four wickets to run through the tail.
Junaid Khan claimed three wickets while Zulfiqar Babar took two.
AB de Villiers was unlucky to miss his century getting out on 90 while Robin Peterson was unbeaten on 47.
Needing just 40 to win, Pakistan received early jolts when they lost three quick wickets but skipper Misbah ul-Haq and Younis Khan saw through the proceedings to achieve the target in the 11th over.
That's it. After some early jitters, Pakistan's experienced campaigners Misbah ul-Haq and Younis Khan see it off in style as Pakistan win be seven wickets to go 1-up in the two-Test series. Pak 45-3 in 13.5 overs.
Runs coming in boundaries. Pakistan need just another 12 runs to win. Pak 28-3 in 11 overs.
Misbah and Younis Khan taking their time. Pakistan just need 22 and it's sensible batting here. Pak 18-3 in 9 overs.
Two experienced players in the middle take stock of the situation. Pakistan need another 27 to win. Pak 13-3 in 6 overs.
Pakistan in trouble here. Brilliant bowling from South African pacers and Philander gets another. SA 7-3 in 3.3 overs.
Khurram Manzoor c de Villiers b Philander 4 (11b 1x4 0x6)
South Africa giving some tough time here for Pakistan. Steyn gets another wicket as Pakistan are 7-2 in 3 overs.
Azhar Ali c Kallis b Steyn 3 (8b 0x4 0x6)
Early wicket for South Africa as Shan Masood is gone. Pak 4-1 in 1.2 overs.
Shan Masood c de Villiers b Philander 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)
Khurram Manzoor opens Pakistan's account with a boundary. Pak 4-0 in 1 over.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Ajmal emerges the star as he runs through the tail enders to finish with a four-wicket haul as South Africa are all out for 232 in 82.4 overs. AB de Villiers fought a lone battle scoring a gritty 90.
Ajmal takes his fourth wicket of the innings as SA are all out for 232 in 82.4 overs.
M Morkel c & b Saeed Ajmal 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)
Ajmal gets his 50th wicket in the UAE. A great bowling performance as SA are 232-9 in 82.2 overs.
V Philander c Adnan Akmal b Saeed Ajmal 10 (38b 0x4 0x6)
Peterson on 40 as this partnership is looking good. SA 225-8 in 80 overs
The tailenders are going for wild shots. Trying to put as many runs possible on board. SA 215-8 in 77 overs.
South Africa ensured Pakistan came to bat again. SA 199-8 in 74 overs.
De Villiers is unlucky as he is out in his 90s. He was doing well but now it's all over for the Proteas. SA 190-8 in 70.5 overs.
AB de Villiers c Shan Masood b Junaid Khan 90 (157b 7x4 1x6)
South Africa trail by five runs. SA 188-7 in 70 overs.
Runs coming in there quite easily as the partnership crosses 50. SA just need another seven to ensure Pakistan bat again. SA 186-7 in 68 overs.
The partnership reaching 37. SA 170-7 in 66 overs.
De Villiers playing confidently. A fine sweep to the boundary takes him past 70. SA 164-7 in 64 overs.
De Villiers is on 66. SA 156-7 in 62 overs.
A rare boundary as South Africa reach 147-7 in 60 overs.
Ajmal takes a brilliant catch off his own bowling. Pakistan taste success immediately after lunch and SA in serious trouble here. SA 133-7 in 57 overs.
F du Plessis c & b Saeed Ajmal 9 (55b 1x4 0x6)
Back from Lunch, SA batsmen will look for a long partnership. They still have nearly 61 overs to see for the day. SA 132-6 in 56 overs.
MORNING SESSION
It was a good first session for Pakistan as they took two wickets including the one of JP Duminy. The last recognised pair of Du VIlliers and Du Plessis is battling for the Proteas as South Africa are 130 for 6 in 55 overs. They trail by 63 runs.
A superb six from De Villiers gets him his well deserved half century. SA 129-6 in 54 overs.
De Villiers and Du Plessis going steady. SA 121-6 in 51 overs.
De Villiers reaches his 40s. SA 116-6 in 48 overs.
That's three maiden's in a row. SA 109-6 in 44 overs.
A big wicket for Junaid as Duminy falls. Trouble for South Africa. SA 109-6 in 41 overs.
JP Duminy lbw b Junaid Khan 0 (5b 0x4 0x6)
Drinks break. SA trial by 87 runs. SA 106-5 in 40 overs.
Pakistan get their first victim for the day. Steyn is bowled but he has done is job spending nearly an hour in the middle. SA 104-5 in 37.3 overs.
Dale Steyn b Zulfiqar Babar 7 (49b 0x4 0x6)
De Villiers reaches 34, while Steyn is on 7. They should ensure they don't lose a wicket at this moment. SA 102-4 in 36 overs.
South Africa trail by 97. SA 96-4 in 34 overs.
Ajmal is getting dangerous as overs pass by. It will be a test of mettle for the Proteas today. SA 88-4 in 32 overs.
Steyn working hard to spend as long as he can in the middle. De Villiers should give him the motivation. SA 80-4 in 30 overs.
Ajmal takes charge straight away. Pakistan will play around with their spinners. It's a maiden. SA 76-4 in 28 overs.
A boundary from De Villiers. SA 76-4 in 27 overs.
De Villiers and Steyn get ready to bat as Mohammad Irfan prepares to bowl.
Pakistan players are in the middle. Cuddle up for a discussion.
South Africa will be battling to avoid defeat against Pakistan in the first Test still trailing by 121 runs in the second innings when they resume day four on 72 for four at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
On a wicket which showed signs of taking spin, Pakistan had the Proteas on the ropes after being dismissed for 442 just after tea on day three.
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