Seasoned batsmen Younis Khan and Misbah-ul Haq hit resolute half-centuries to take the fight to Sri Lanka in the second Test here today.
Younis was unbeaten on 62 and Misbah scored 52 not out to help Pakistan reach 132-2 at close on the third day at the Dubai stadium pitch which is likely to help spinners on the last two days.
Pakistan still need another 93 runs to avoid an innings defeat and go 1-0 down in the three Test series after the first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.
Younis and Misbah -- who both hit hundreds in Abu Dhabi last week, came together with Pakistan in dire straits at 19-3. They held the batting together during their unfinished 113-run fourth wicket stand.
Sri Lanka earlier gained a big 223-run lead by scoring 388 in their first knock. Pakistan had made 165 in the first innings.
It was paceman Nuwan Pradeep (2-28) who gave Pakistan early wobbles.
Pradeep, who took a career best 3-62 in the first innings, had Mohammad Hafeez (one) caught behind in his second over and in his fourth swung one across Manzoor (six) for wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene to take his seventh catch of the match.
Pakistan had lost opener Ahmed Shehzad in the last over before lunch, caught behind for nine off spinner Rangana Herath.
It was left to Younis and Misbah to fight one more time for Pakistan.
Younis was more cautious, reaching his 28th half-century with a single off Herath and continued to bat solidly during his 142-ball stay, hitting four boundaries.
Misbah completed his 3,000 Test runs when on 10, becoming Pakistan's 15th batsmen to achieve the milestone. The Pakistan captain survived one leg-before referral on one and twice on close catches behind the wicket, once off a miscued hook which went to the boundary.
