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 activity 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 briefly spells.
Nevertheless it was a memorable day for Sri Lankan skipper Chandimal, whose marathon knock of over 9 hours in scorching circumstances propelled his workforce to a robust complete.
He got here in to bat along with his workforce in hassle 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 go away 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 arduous 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 probability to publish his maiden Check hundred.
Dickwella hit 9 boundaries and a six throughout his fast 117-ball knock and bettered his earlier finest Check effort of 81, made towards Zimbabwe in Colombo earlier this yr.
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 opinions on each selections — 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.
On Thursday, Yasir Shah matched fellow countryman Waqar Younis because the joint second quickest to 150 wickets – each reaching the milestone of their 27th Check.
Australia’s Sydney Barnes holds the document after reaching the landmark in simply 24 Checks.
The Check is Pakistan’s first because the retirement of legendary batsman Younis Khan and their most profitable Check skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq.
Pakistan handed a Check cap to batsman Haris Sohail, whereas Sri Lanka went into the sport with three spinners and two seamers.
