Pakistan trail Sri Lanka by 138 runs after reaching tea on 85-3 on day three of the second Test in Dubai.
They were able to bowl their opponents all out for 388 after taking six wickets in the morning session.
However, Khurram Manzoor and Ahmed Shehzad faced the task of chasing 223 runs when they emerged onto the crease for their second innings, but it was a poor start for Pakistan.
Shehzad fell for just nine before lunch, while Mohammad Hafeez could only muster one run before he was taken out by Nuwan Pradeep straight after the break.
Sri Lanka continued to dominate on the field as Pradeep nabbed his second wicket of the day by getting Manzoor caught out for six.
Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq remain unbeaten on 41 and 27 respectively.