ABU DHABI: Pakistan defeated South Africa by seven wickets on the fourth day of the first five-day Test here at the Sheikh Zayad Stadium on Thursday to go 1-0 up in the two-match series.
Chasing a mere 40 to win, Pakistan made a poor start losing three wickets for just seven runs on the board but later experienced batsmen Younis Khan (nine) and Misbah-ul-Haq (28) managed to take the team to victory with Pakistan captain deservedly hitting the winning six.
This is Pakistan's fourth win over South Africa in 22 Tests and also broke South Africa's unbeaten 15-Test run since losing to Sri Lanka at Durban in December 2011.
Earlier, South Africa were bowled out for 232 in their second innings after conceding a big 193-run lead in the first.
It was AB de Villiers who hit a fighting 90 to help South Africa avoid an innings defeat while Robin Peterson scored a valiant 47 not out but it only delayed Pakistan's win.
De Villiers added an invaluable 57 for the eighth wicket with Petersen to carry the match into the final session.
Peterson added an invaluable 42 for the ninth wicket with Vernon Philander (ten), much to the frustration of the Pakistani bowlers.
De Villiers hit seven boundaries and a six off 157-ball in a resistance filled innings before he miscued a drive off paceman Junaid Khan with just three to avoid an innings defeat.
Pakistan's bowlers had grabbed two wickets in the morning session to boost their chances on a pitch offering good turn after South Africa resumed at 72-4, trailing by a big 121 runs.
Wily spinner Saeed Ajmal took four wickets for 74 and he was superbly supported by left-arm paceman Junaid Khan (3-57) and fellow spinner Zulfiqar Babar (2-51).
The second and final Test starts in Dubai from October 23.
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