Pakistan held a lead of 107 runs at stumps on day four of the second Test in Dubai, with Sri Lanka failing to trigger another collapse, allowing Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed to lead the hosts to 330 for seven.
Pakistan started the day on 132 for three, with Misbah and Younis Khan well set after their recovery effort ton day three. Both batsmen had reached their half centuries, and continued to slowly cut the deficit.
The one wicket to fall in the morning, in which 57 runs were scored, went to Suranga Lakmal. Younis had made 77, adding 15 runs to his overnight score, before being caught behind by Prasanna Jayawardene, who had taken all four catches.
The rest of the session was seen out by Misbah and Asad Shafiq, who had faced 48 balls for his 18 runs by lunch. The pair had added 41 runs together over the span of nearly 15 overs.
The afternoon session saw two wickets fall, with Shafiq the first to depart when he was caught by Dimuth KArunaratne off Shaminda Eranga. He had made 23 off 75 balls, leaving Misbah to bat on with Sarfraz.
The keeper, in the side for Adnan Akmal, made the most of his chance and soon reached an impressive half ton. He was the more aggressive player, and was then left to fend off the attack when Misbah was finally removed for 97.
The skipper fell to Rangana Herath, playing around a straighter delivery and finding his bails dislodged. Sarfraz and Bilawal Bhatti then added 67 runs over the next 21 overs, going at more than three to the over, a rarity in this game.
Once Bhatti was out for 32, bowled by Eranga, Saeed Ajmal then continued alongside Sarfraz as the skies darkened. The rain finally arrived with 15 overs left to play, and once they went off it just got harder, ending the session.
