Eoin Morgan lashed 67 in 51 deliveries and Kevin Pietersen added a run-a-ball 43 to guide England to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan Friday in the first of their two Twenty20 matches.
Twenty20 World champions Pakistan elected to bat after winning the toss but could only manage a total of 129 for eight, Shoaib Malik top-scoring with 33.
England's attack bowled tidily with Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann taking two wickets apiece.
Pakistan's hopes were raised when they reduced England to 18 for three in reply, with captain Paul Collingwood, Jonathan Trott and Joe Denly falling cheaply.
Morgan and Pietersen then shared an unbroken partnership of 112 to steer Collingwood's men to victory with nine balls to spare.
Dubai will also host Saturday's second match.
