It took Pakistan 15 minutes and 3.1 overs into the start of the day's play to wrap up Sri Lanka's innings, keeping the hosts lead to 177 runs. Ahmed Shehzad's well-paced 39 led the way as Pakistan brought the deficit down to 115 at lunch on the third day, but their innings was not without the early jitter.

Pakistan's second innings began on a note similar to their first, only this time it was Mohammad Hafeez who was out. The Pakistan opener was stuck on the crease and a hesitant poke at a length delivery from Angelo Mathews was safely pouched up by Kumar Sangakkara at first slip.

Hafeez's uncertain dismissal was in sharp contrast to Shehzad's fluency as the opener struck beautifully timed fours off Mathews and Dhammika Prasad either side of the wicket early in his innings. Rangana Herath came on to bowl for the first time in the match - in Pakistan's 12th over - and beat Shehzad with a ripper that turned past the outside edge. The next over, however, the opener showed intent, stepped out and cleared the long-on boundary with ease. Both Azhar and Shehzad looked positive, an attitude that will only help Pakistan as they aim to set Sri Lanka a challenging target.

Earlier in the day, the last-wicket pair of Herath and Dushmantha Chameera added 11 runs to the side's overnight lead of 166, after a brief spell of rain had delayed the start of the third day by 30 minutes. Chameera fell to legspinner Yasir Shah who finished with 6 for 96.

(ESPN Cricinfo)