Late scalps put pressure on Pakistan

Keep up to date with all that's new around the world - read match reports and more from every international played

Sri Lanka celebrate the dismissal of Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez, who was superbly caught at third slip by Mahela Jayawardene off Chanaka Welegedera

Sri Lanka claimed two wickets before the close to further strengthen their position in the third and final Test against Pakistan.

Needing a win in Sharjah to claim a share of the three-match series, the designated away side restricted Pakistan to 35 for two at stumps on day two after earlier posting 413 all out in their first innings.

Pakistan therefore trail by 378 after struggling to navigate a 20-over spell before the close as Sri Lanka went on the offensive.

Both openers perished during an intense period of play with Mohammad Hafeez first to go, Mahela Jayawardene pulling off a stunning catch at third slip after Chanaka Welegedara had induced an edge with a fuller delivery.

Rangana Herath then claimed the wicket of Taufeeq Umar, although he was indebted to some smart work from wicketkeeper Kaushal Silva.

Herath tempted Taufeeq forward and, after beating him with flight and spin, Silva whipped off the bails to leave the batsman short of the crease.

Azhar Ali and Younus Khan made it through to the close, the former narrowly surviving a confident lbw appeal off the impressive Herath.

Earlier, the in-form Kumar Sangakkara progressed to 144 as Sri Lanka laboured to a solid first-innings total despite an afternoon collapse.

Sangakkara was holding the innings together but when he fell just after lunch, the second of three wickets for Saeed Ajmal, it signalled the start of a good session for Pakistan.

Despite the dismissals of Mahela Jayawardene, who was unfortunate to be adjudged lbw to Junaid Khan for 39, and Angelo Mathews, caught behind off Abdur Rehman in the final over of the morning session, Sri Lanka were still well set heading into the afternoon.

However, Sangakkara departed shortly after the resumption, attempting to pull an Ajmal delivery from way outside off stump and succeeding only in skying the ball to Younus at slip.

With runs at a premium, Ajmal then trapped Kosala Kulasekara lbw and Umar Gul did likewise to Suraj Randiv, before Dhammika Prasad was caught behind off Junaid in the over before tea.

The Sri Lanka tail made a useful contribution, however, with the ninth-wicket pairing of Silva and Herath putting on 54.

Silva finally fell for a patient 39, Azhar taking a fine diving catch after the batsman had top-edged a doosra from Ajmal, who finished with 4-132.

Gul wrapped up the innings by bowling Welegedara for a third-ball duck, leaving Herath unbeaten on 34.