Abu Dhabi – Sri Lanka's pace and spin attack fought back Thursday to grab Pakistan's last six wickets cheaply on the third morning of the first Test and restrict them to 383.
Pakistan, resuming on 327-4, had eyed a massive lead over Sri Lanka's first-innings 204 but had to settle for a still-useful 179-run advantage.
All three Sri Lankan pacemen grabbed a wicket each in the morning and spinner Rangana Herath finished with 3-93 at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
At lunch the Sri Lankan openers Dimuth Karunaratne (two) and Kaushal Silva (nought) had negotiated one over from Junaid Khan without trouble.
Paceman Shaminda Eranga, who finished with 3-80 and Suranga Lakmal, with 2-99, led Sri Lanka's fightback.
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq ended on 135 after resuming on 105. He hit 16 boundaries and a six off 306 balls before being last man out, caught at long-off off spinner Herath.
In all Misbah batted for 425 minutes and his 218-run partnership with Younis Khan (136) on Wednesday set Pakistan on track for their big lead.
Pakistan lost overnight batsman Asad Shafiq (13) in the fourth over of the day Thursday. He flicked Lakmal to Silva, who took another smart catch at square-leg.
Eranga then accounted for wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal for six before Bilawal Bhatti (14) helped his skipper add 27 for the seventh wicket.
Angelo Mathews accounted for Bhatti before Herath dismissed Saeed Ajmal and Rahat Ali off consecutive deliveries to restrict Pakistan's lead. – Sapa-AFP