"I'm calling on everybody in Napier to get behind them, get behind these guys and come and watch them," he said.
He was presented with a golden falcon, the UAE's national symbol.
Captain Mohammad Tauqir said the team were playing two world cup games in Napier, so the city was "like our hometown".
"We're really honoured and thrilled with all this hospitality. This is amazing, it's a cultural event. It's excellent to see this warm welcome by Napier."
His country has made it to the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time since 1996. Coached by former Pakistan pace bowler Aqib Javed, they finished second in the Super Six stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand last year.
As the team members mingled with local dignitaries and watched a performance by Art Deco dancers last night, Mr Tauqir said they were in high spirits.
"Everybody is in a good frame of mind, everybody is positive. We look forward to doing well against Pakistan."
The star of the team, batsman Shaiman Anwar, who smashed an astonishing 79-ball hundred against Ireland at the Gabba in Brisbane last month, said coolly he was "100 per cent sure" he would be scoring plenty of runs against the Pakistanis.
Before tomorrow's game there will be live entertainment in Marine Parade's Sound Shell Fanzone from 10am. Fans will then be able to follow the Cricket Ball Trail to the stadium for the game at 2pm.
The UAE take on the West Indies at McLean Park next week.
