Sikandar Raza closed in on his maiden Test hundred to put Zimbabwe in a strong position for their first Test victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday.
The touring side, who also won their maiden one-day international series against Sri Lanka last week, reached 6-252 in their second innings at stumps on day three at R Premadasa Stadium for an overall lead of 262 runs.
The 31-year-old Raza was unbeaten on 97 for his highest Test score and has added 107 for the unbroken seventh wicket with Malcolm Waller, who is 57 not out.
Sri Lankan spin spearhead Rangana Herath (4-85) had helped the hosts to reduce Zimbabwe to 5-59 at one stage but Raza and Peter Moor, who made 40, launched a fightback with a stand of 86 for the sixth wicket.
Earlier, Zimbabwe captain and leg-spinner Graeme Cremer (5-125) took his maiden five-wicket haul to help his side to restrict Sri Lanka to 346 after the hosts had resumed on 7-293.
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Sri Lanka have been hampered by a left hamstring injury to all-rounder Asela Gunaratne, who has been told he needs a recovery period of up to 10 days and will not bowl or field for the remainder of the ongoing Test.
