Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood smashed half-centuries to assist Pakistan take the opening day honours after it bundled out Sri Lanka for 166 within the second Take a look at on Monday.
Pakistan, which leads the two-match sequence 1-0, reached 145-2 at stumps, trailing Sri Lanka by 21 runs in Colombo.
Shafique, on 74, and skipper Babar Azam, on eight, have been on the crease when unhealthy gentle stopped play for the day.
Shafique placed on a second-wicket stand of 108 with the left-handed Masood, who made 51, to place Sri Lanka on the backfoot with their attacking play.
Bowlers arrange Pakistan’s dominance after leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and quick bowler Naseem Shah shared seven wickets between them to dismiss the hosts within the second session.
SL vs PAK, 2nd Take a look at – Scorecard
In reply, Imam-ul-Haq fell early for six, however Shafique and Masood hit again with a gentle move of boundaries as Pakistan went about with practically six runs an over for a big a part of their innings to date.
Shafique, who was dropped by Prabath Jayasuriya on 42 off his personal bowling, reached his fifty with an imposing six off the identical bowler.
Masood raised his fifty off 44 balls, however quickly departed as quick bowler Asitha Fernando received his second wicket with Kusal Mendis taking a pointy diving catch at mid-wicket.
Shafique, who survived an in depth lbw name on 74, stood agency and together with Azam noticed the remainder of the day via as they went previous Sri Lanka’s first-innings whole.
Earlier, Pakistan wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings in 48.4 overs after the hosts elected to bat first.
Sri Lanka was in early bother at 36-4 after play began half-hour late as a consequence of in a single day and early morning rain.
Dhananjaya De Silva, who made 122 and 82 in Sri Lanka’s first Take a look at loss, tried to hit again in a quickfire knock. He shared a fifth-wicket stand of 85 runs with Dinesh Chandimal, who made 34.
Naseem Shah, who took three wickets, broke the stand after he received Chandimal caught by Haq.
Abrar, who returned figures of 4-69, quickly received going with two fast wickets, together with de Silva’s, to dent Sri Lanka’s hopes of a turnaround.
De Silva reached his thirteenth Take a look at fifty after which hit a six off Abrar earlier than the spinner had his revenge by getting him caught at mid-wicket.
De Silva batted with freedom, hitting 9 fours and a six in his 68-ball innings, till his departure.