At the end of the day in Galle, Pakistan reached 48-3, needing 83 more points to secure the lead in the two-game series. Imam-ul-Haqsolid on 25, and captain Babar Azamwho had yet to make an impact at age six, held the trick.
The spinner of the left arm, Prabath Jayasuriyamade a significant impact by sacking two Pakistani drummers. Abdullah Shafique fell prey to a hold behind the wickets after contributing eight points, while Shan Massoud was fired for seven years.
Noman was sent as a night watchman but he was exhausted.
Sri Lanka’s first set centurion Dhananjaya de Silva had the top score with 82 before the Pakistani bowlers combined to eliminate the hosts in the final session of the day.
Left armer Noman and fellow spinner Abrar took three wickets apiece and, along with Agha Salman’s two wickets, hit even shots.
Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up two more to help clean up the line.
De Silva, who scored 122 in Sri Lanka’s total of 312 opening innings, made key partnerships including a seventh-wicket stand of 76 with Ramesh Mendis, who made it 42.
Shaheen, a fast left arm, finally caught up with de Silva with a rising delivery after Pakistan took the second new ball.
Shaheen got his second before Abrar finished the innings.
Salman fired Dinesh Chandimal for 28 to break a 60-point stand with de Silva, then Samarawickrama for 11 to put Sri Lanka in trouble, but de Silva held firm.
Abrar struck first earlier with his leg spin to fire skipper Dimuth Karunaratne for 20 to check Sri Lanka’s fast start.
Batter Saud Shakeel has remained Pakistan’s star so far with his first unbeaten 208 innings – his first double Test century – in his side’s 461 on day three.
Shakeel’s marathon shot gave Pakistan a convenient 149 lead as rain halted play for the first three days.
The rain stayed away on day four, which started late due to a wet spot on the pitch.
(With AFP inputs)
