(Karachi) Pakistan fight back after being dismissed in the first innings as the entertaining day came to an end with Sri Lanka trailing by 127 runs at stumps.
After being dismissed on 191 runs, courtesy of brilliant spells by Lahiru Kumara and Lasith Embuldeniya, who share four wickets each, the home side managed to remove both openers, including Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne (25) on Thursday at National Stadium Karachi.
Opener Oshada Fernando scored four while Kusal Mendis lost his wicket after scoring 13 runs.
Pacer Muhammad Abbas claimed two wickets while Shaheen Shah Afridi bagged a wicket for the hosts.
At stumps, the visitors are 64 for three with Angelo Mathews (eight) and Lasith Embuldeniya (0) were out on the crease.
The Islanders were in control of the game from the get go, despite loosing the toss. Pakistan Captain Azhar Ali's decision to bat first didn't go as planned with Vishwa Fernando bowling two magnificent deliveries in an over to dismiss opener Shan Masood (five) and skipper without scoring.
At that stage Pakistan had 10 runs on the scoreboard and in desperate need of partnership. In-form opener Abid Ali and middle order batsman Babar Azam stood up and started the recovery work as they managed to post 55 runs for the third wicket.
At the score of 65, Lahiru Kumara trapped Abid (38) leg before wicket (lbw). However, Babar Azam continued his dream run with the bat and completed his 13th half century.
The right hander scored 60 runs of 95 deliveries before being dismissed by Embuldeniy.
Home town boy Asad Shafiq played a crucial knock of 63 with wickets kept on falling from the other hand. Eventually Pakistan were dismissed for 191 in 59.3 overs.