Pakistan were struggling at 3-85 at tea on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Dubai on Friday.
Younis Khan (41) and Misbah-ul Haq (27) were at the crease having lifted Pakistan from a precarious 3-19, still needing another 138 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
Paceman Nuwan Pradeep has figures of 2-20.
Earlier, Mahela Jayawardene finished with 129 to help Sri Lanka score 388 runs in their first innings.
They took a big 223-run lead over Pakistan's first innings total of 165.
Paceman Junaid Khan finished with 3-102.
The first Test in the three-match series ended as a draw in Abu Dhabi last week.