At the start of the fourth day, Pakistan needed just 141 runs to seal the Abu Dhabi Test and take the series lead in the three-match series against New Zealand on Monday (November 19). However, by the time things ended, New Zealand were the one heading to Dubai the happier side. Pakistan collapsed to hand the visitors a four-run win, succumbing to Ajaz Patel's spin.

Pakistan wobbled early on but remained on course to keep New Zealand on their toes. They went from 40 for no loss to 48 for 3 in the first session. But Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq steadied things with an 82-run stand. It was Neil Wagner who broke through just before lunch but Pakistan still kept surging ahead with 130 for 4 on the board. The real drama unfolded in the second session as Pakistan got close.

Babar Azam was run out in a comical fashion and Pakistan never really recovered from that blow. Sarfraz Ahmed, Bilal Asif and Hasan Ali played poor strokes to let the team down but Azhar kept them crawling towards the target. He was the last man to fall for 65 as Ajaz ended with a five-for on debut. "It's still quite surreal at the moment," the left-arm spinner said after the win. "It'll sink in the next couple of days but I wouldn't have dreamt it to start any better. To do it in that fashion is quite special.

"I never really looked at what the score was. I was just looking to hit my areas and make use of that wicket. We wanted to play the long game and stay in the game for as long as possible. When he [Azhar] did review it, I was just on the ground looking at the big screen hoping it falls on the right way. It was a very nervous time. It's not often you get a wicket like that and it's a great opportunity to be in the last innings and win a Test for your country."

While the Pakistan captain blamed the batsmen for their narrow defeat, Kane Williamson felt it was the nature of the track that also made it hard for the batsmen. "It certainly was dramatic," he said. "Throughout the four days both teams were put under pressure. I think at the end of the day it was a great advertisement for Test cricket.

"The wicket was challenging and both teams had to fight hard, and certainly, Pakistan had the upper-hand after the first day, but one of the characteristics we hold very dear is the attitude to fight on. I think the fighting attributes of this team really shone through and certainly today, it's important to build on a number of parts. We were able to get back through contributions with the bat, on the field and with the ball. It was difficult to start as a batsman and I don't know. And these games that are so close, you can look at different little things. It was a great game."

Williamson also praised Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling for their stand that resurrected the New Zealand innings and gave the bowlers something to fight with. Both scored half-centuries and added 112 for the fifth wicket to put Pakistan under pressure. "That partnership was huge. With 170 we were still in the game and were bowling last on the track. We didn't get the perfect start with the ball (in the evening on the third day) and Pakistan came hard. But when you look back, you realise how important that partnership was. A few vital runs from the lower order as well," he said.

"It's important we learn from this but it's nice to fight hard and win the game. It would have been more pleasing if won more easily and stayed front. It can be challenging to start here. It's important to look now to Dubai. We are going to be faced with different conditions there and we put out heads down and adapt in a better way," Williamson concluded.