Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by five runs after a tense finish to the first one-day international at the Queens Sports Club here on Thursday.
Winning the toss, Pakistan went into bat first and made 247 runs, somewhat below their expectations on a slow but reliable batting wicket.
Zimbabwe, losing fewer wickets in the early stages, looked to have it wrapped up during the middle period.
But two excellent overs from Saeed Ajmal in the latter critical stages that conceded only five runs left Zimbabwe with too much to do.
They needed 125 runs from 20 over, 74 from 10 over, 42 from 40 balls, when they appeared to have the match well in hand, 25 from 18 balls, 22 from 12 and finally 12 from the last six.
Elton Chigumbura, returning from a knee injury, was going well in the final stages but just could not get the runs needed at the end.
Pakistan lost Imran Farhat in the first over of the day but Younis Khan struck 78 in 72 balls to steady the tourists. Misbah ul-Haq weighed in with 54 in a partnership of 60 for the fourth wicket.
The Akmal brothers, Umar and Adnan, made 36 and 27 respectively but Adnan’s wild and fruitless swipes cost Pakistan quite a few runs.
Their 247-7 total did not seem to be enough and the Pakistanis were certainly stifled in general by consistent Zimbabwe bowling, which was mainly spin and medium pace.
For Zimbabwe, in reply, Vusi Sibanda made 73 but the main performer for the home team was Brendan Taylor with 84, recovering from a run of low scores.
Tatenda Taibu made 26 in his usual brisk manner and Chigumbura, who might have become match-winner with big hitting early on, could not maintain the necessary momentum.
Aizaz Cheema was the most successful bowler with 3-36 and it was he who saw Pakistan through in the end by conceding just five runs in the final over. Man of the match was named as Younis Khan.
The Pakistan tour now moves to Harare for the remaining two ODIs and two Twenty20 matches.
