The 28-year-old paceman removed openers Taufiq Umar (27) and Mohammad Hafeez (33) in the space of one run before Pakistan went to lunch at 95-2, still 144 runs behind Sri Lanka's first innings total of 239 with eight wickets intact.

At the break Azhar Ali (17) and former captain Younis Khan (13) were at the crease.

Pakistan started slowly after resuming at 42-0 and benefited from two drop catches off successive deliveries from paceman Suranga Lakmal, who bowled exceptionally well in the morning session.

It was the fifth over of the day when Lakmal got one to jump on Hafeez whose tentative push ballooned towards cover where skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan failed to catch the ball which fell behind him. Hafeez, on 25, went for a single.

Next ball, Mahela Jayawardene floored a regulation catch when Umar, batting on 24, failed to keep an edge down.

But both openers failed to take advantage of the lapses, with Umar edging Prasad to wicket-keeper Kaushal Silva for his first catch in Tests while Hafeez was adjudged leg-before in Prasad's next over.

Umar, who made a career-best 236 in the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi last week, hit three boundaries while Hafeez's score had four hits to the ropes.

The third and final Test of the series will be played in Sharjah from November 3-7.