Winners write the history books and last week's test in Dunedin will always be remembered fondly as Shane Bond's comeback.
His eight-wicket haul earned him the man-of-the-match award and helped separate two pretty even sides.
It also underlined what the Black Caps' attack has been missing for the past two years.
Few, though, will remember seam bowler Mohammad Asif's performance.
He took four wickets in both innings and finished with eight for 151 - a marginally better return than Bond's eight for 153.
Had Pakistan won, Asif's performance might have attracted more attention.
Then again it might not have.
His failed test for a performance-enhancing substance three years ago and detention at Dubai Airport in June last year after being caught in possession of opium have permanently blotted his copybook.
But the 26-year-old gave a brilliant display of seam bowling and, with 17-year-old Mohammad Aamer attacking from the other end, Pakistan has a useful attack.
The test was also memorable for the performance of Umar Akmal.
The Pakistan 19-year-old scored a century and 50 on debut and looks poised to be the game's next superstar.
The cricket tragics will long dwell on Daniel Vettori's entrance into the dreaded 99 club, and trainspotters will revel in naming the seven other New Zealanders to get out one short of a ton - bonus points if you can name which two New Zealanders got out for 99 in the same test.
Peter Fulton will never forget his indecision.
He was given out lbw but replays clearly showed he had got a thick edge before the ball hit his pads.
He looked like he knew he had hit it but seemed unable to gather the courage to ask for the decision to be referred to the third umpire.
Whether Fulton's mistake costs him his place in the 12 for the second test in Wellington remains to be seen.
New Zealand is unlikely to go into that match with just four bowlers, though.
Jeetan Patel will probably come into the 12, with either Fulton or Grant Elliott jettisoned.
The critics would not have been disappointed with the test, either.
New Zealand's batting calamity in the second innings not only kept the match interesting but fuelled further top-order angst.
And Pakistan dropped a series' worth of slip catches.
Speaking of knockers, the University Oval has had its share.
The pitch was voted the worst first-class wicket in the country after last season.
But credit to the groundsman, Tom Tamati, the pitch held up well during the five days and, despite some delays, Dunedin also turned on some fairly good weather.
The crowds were a little sparse - 6672 people paid to get in across the five days.
But the 2200 people who showed up for the last day made enough noise that Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori said it felt like playing in front of about "80,000" people.
Chasing 251 for the win, Pakistan looked to be cantering at 165 for five at tea.
But, buoyed by the crowd, Bond and Iain O'Brien responded with superb spells.
Both bowled through the pain barrier, Bond with a nail missing from his big left toe, and O'Brien with a dislocated finger on his bowling hand.
Vettori, too, acknowledged he was not "fully" fit leading into the match.
He is clearly struggling with a shoulder injury and probably needs to go under the knife sooner than later.
The 30-year-old's joy at snaffling the return catch that sealed the win will, no doubt, help him get through another summer.
Still, there is something a bit sad about watching a young man trade health for glory.
Vettori has taken some awful blows.
Earlier this month he was concussed after being struck on the helmet during the one-day series against Pakistan, and at times in the test he looked like he was labouring to lift his arm above shoulder height.
