In the context of this thread, there's no doubt playing in UAE affected our pace bowling resources. UAE pitches are all same, playing almost all like Faisalabad's did in the 80s. Pakistan's pitches in most grounds (perhaps because of moisture in winter conditions) can't be hard bouncy surfaces, but at the same time, don't deteriorate a lot too during a test match. The variability mostly comes from how much grass is left on the pitch. Karachi has its own late-afternoon/early-evening see-breeze aided swing conditions.
In fourth inning of a test match in Pakistan, no spinner has taken five wickets in more than 30 years. In fact, bowling averages in Pakistan for spinners in fourth innings are the highest compared to averages in all other countries. The lowest such average is in UAE (no surprise).
And besides, all of these stats and performance numbers, playing at home gives the players the opportunities to use all their experiences of toiling away in the domestic competitions and knowing the grounds inside out, whether they employ the benefit consciously or through muscle memory.
I know you keep bringing this point of Pakistan achieving #1 ranking in test cricket in UAE, but that doesn't negate any of what I said. That ranking by the way, was built on the back of three series - win against Eng and Aus, both fortunately at a time, when the opponents were laden with ranking points that Pakistan feasted on, and then the series draw in England. The absolute ranking points for Pakistan in that particular month (Aug of 2016?) weren't that many. They were in the range where #2-4 teams are normally found, but at the time, the other teams had dropped below and Pakistan team was rightfully ranked above all others. Within a month of ranking adjustment, they went down in rankings.
For that matter in early 2006 after beating England and India at home, and Srilanka in away conditions, Pakistan had higher rating points (compared to 2016) but were #2, and because of the controversies of 2006 England tour lost enough points to drop down. In 80s and early 90s, Pakistan had even higher rating points.
Anyway, I can talk about ratings and how the ranking points accumulate all day long, but the point is that Pakistan cricket development suffered a lot in 2010s playing matches in UAE. If you can't see it, then either you started watching cricket around that time, and have no other frame of reference to compare to, or you are a contrarian for some unknown reason. Home-advantage is a real thing. It doesn't mean, Pakistan will necessarily become #1 test side playing at home, but that they will punch above their weight every now and then and more new players will show up.
