A disciplined bowling by the Sri Lankan fast bowlers helped the hosts to keep up the pressure on Pakistan as the visitors were at 209-9 at stumps on the second day of the third Test.
The pacers earned the hosts four wickets as Pakistan still trail by 69 runs.
Earlier, Sri Lankan tail lasted for only 3.5 overs into the morning and got bowled out at 278.
Pakistan began the day on a bright note by taking the two remaining wickets quickly, but their batsmen were unable to make a mark.
Openers Shan Masood and Ahmed Shehzad got the side off to a decent start, but both departed in quick succession and veteran Younis Khan gifted his wicket away by attempting a suicidal single, leaving the score at 45-3.
Just as Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq were looking set for a big partnership, rain interrupted the play for about 20 minutes and soon after the resumption, Dhammika Prasad accounted for the latter. Ali though continued and played some delightful shots en route to recording his 20th Test fifty.
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Sarfraz Ahmed and Yasir Shah were involved in a resolute 45-run stand before Prasad got the wicket of Shah.
With Ahmed remaining unbeaten at 72, Pakistan would like to cut down the deficit as much as possible before getting bowled out.