Openers Sami Aslam (31 not out) and Shan Masood (30 not out) negotiated 23 overs to take Pakistan to 64-Zero, nonetheless trailing Sri Lanka’s first-innings complete of 419 by 355 runs.
They want one other 156 to keep away from the follow-on, a job which must be easy on a flat Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch.
Each Masood and Aslam, opening for the primary time collectively, appeared assured as Sri Lanka attacked by means of all their three spinners and two seamers in brief spells.
However it was a memorable day for Sri Lankan skipper Chandimal, whose marathon knock of over 9 hours in scorching circumstances propelled his group to a robust complete.
He got here in to bat together with his group in bother at 61-Three on Thursday, however led the fightback in a fourth-wicket stand of 100 with Dimuth Karunaratne (93).
On Friday, after Sri Lanka resumed at 227-Four, Chandimal added 134 for the fifth wicket with Niroshan Dickwella (83) and one other 92 for the sixth with Dilruwan Perera, who made 33.
Chandimal confronted 372 balls and struck 14 boundaries to depart Pakistan toiling for wickets, earlier than the tail succumbed to some good tempo bowling by Mohammad Abbas, who took Three-75.
Leg-spinner Yasir Shah completed with Three-120 in a marathon 57 overs of exhausting work.
The Chandimal-Dickwella stand was solely damaged within the 22nd over of the day when Dickwella performed on to quick bowler Hasan Ali, spurning a very good likelihood to submit his maiden Check hundred.
Dickwella hit 9 boundaries and a six throughout his speedy 117-ball knock and bettered his earlier finest Check effort of 81, made towards Zimbabwe in Colombo earlier this 12 months.
Chandimal reached his ninth Check century – his first in 4 matches as captain, and first towards Pakistan – by driving left-arm paceman Mohammad Amir by means of the covers for his 11th boundary.
Pakistan’s distress was compounded as they did get Perera twice on nought, however the all-rounder made profitable evaluations on each choices – as soon as every off Shah and Haris Sohail.
Perera additionally survived a stumping choice earlier than lastly falling to part-timer Sohail for his first wicket.
Shah then had Rangana Herath for 4 earlier than Abbas took the wickets of Lakshan Sundakan (eight) and Nuwan Pradeep (nought) from successive deliveries.
