Pakistan kept the same side which beat Australia by 356 runs in the second Test here for their 2-0 series win last week.
New Zealand entered the Test with two seamers, two spinners and as many allrounders.
The remaining Tests will be played in Dubai (November 17-21) and Sharjah (November 26-30)
After the Tests, the two teams also play two Twenty20 internationals and five one-day internationals.
Teams:
Pakistan: Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Zulfiqar Babar, Yasir Shah.
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (capt), Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi.
Umpires: Rodney Tucker (AUS) and Ranmore Martinesz (SRI) TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS) Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM).