The loss of regular wickets prevented Sri Lanka taking the game away from Pakistan in the afternoon session of the third Test at Sharjah, but they still broke for tea with a healthy lead of 175 runs.
Earlier in the fourth day, the Lions had bowled Pakistan out for 341 to establish an 87-run first-innings advantage, before losing opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne for eight before tea.
Kaushal Silva and Kumar Sangakkara consolidated after lunch but both found runs hard to come by and fell to the bowling of Abdur Rehman for 36 and eight respectively, leaving Sri Lanka 66-3.
The run rate continued at a lowly 2.2 an over even when Mahela Jayawardene [23*] and Dinesh Chandimal [13*} arrived at the crease and those two guided their team to 88-3 at the interval.
Sri Lanka only need to draw the match to win the series and maintain their strong position with seven wickets in hand, and Pakistan will need a handful of dismissals before close to stay in the contest.
