England made 160-5 in their 20 overs with Sam Billings 51, skipper Eoin Morgan 45 not out and debutant James Vince 41 the main run-getters.
Pakistan were bowled out for 146 in 20 overs with Sohail Tanvir making 25 not out and Sohaib Maqsood 24.
Liam Plunkett finished with 3-21.
The second match will be played in Dubai on Friday while the third is scheduled for Monday in Sharjah.