Sri Lanka has put a hard fight against Pakistani spinners led by Saeed Ajmal to reach 220-5 at close on the opening day of the third Test in Sharjah on Thursday.
Ajmal took 2-62 to leave Sri Lanka struggling at 166-5 before Angelo Mathews (24) and Prasanna Jayawardene (28) saw off the day with a 54-run unfinished stand on a spin-friendly Sharjah stadium pitch.
According to Sport24, Pakistan grabbed the key wickets of Kumar Sangakkara (52), who reached his 44th half-century, and Mahela Jayawardene (47) on either side of tea.
Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the second match in Dubai by nine wickets, with the first Test ending in a draw, the report added.