Pakistan 165 and 3-132 (Younis Khan 62*, Misbah-ul-Haq 53*, Nuwan Pradeep 2-28) trails Sri Lanka 388 (Mahela Jayawardene 129, Kaushal Silva 95, Angelo Mathews 42, Junaid Khan 3-102) by 91 runs with seven wickets in hand.

The experienced duo of Younis Khan and his skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq rescued Pakistan when their top order batting collapsed in the second innings vs. Sri Lanka.

The home side was bowled out for 165 mere runs in their first innings and managed 132 for the loss of three wickets in the second whereas the Lankan Lions piled up 388 in the first one.

The third day’s play came to an end on Friday, January 10, 2014, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Earlier, the Islanders went into bat in the morning at 4-318 in 106 overs whereas Mahela Jayawardene and the captain, Angelo Mathews were batting at 106 and 42. The latter was gone without adding any run in the second over and the first kept on creeping at the other end. The wickets were sliding continuously and Jayawardene became the 8^th victim for 129 and the entire innings of the visitors was folded back for 388 in 134 overs.

Junaid Khan was the highest wicket taker with three, Rahat Ali and Saeed Ajmal held two each whereas Bilawal Bhatti and Mohammad Hafeez shared one wicket each.

Pakistan started their second innings after a deficit of 223 runs and lost three quick wickets for just 19 runs. The old war horses, Younis Khan along with Misbah-ul-Haq, associated in the center in a difficult situation while the latter survived a review at one. The pair kept on ticking the score board with regular boundaries and went past the hundred runs mark in the 34^th over.

Younis Khan reached his 28^th Test fifty three overs later and Misbah-ul-Haq attained his 23^rd half century in the process. They remained unbeaten on 62, 53 and took their side to 3-132 at stumps on the third day.

Nuwan Pradeep was the top wicket taker with two and Rangana Herath chipped in with one.

Pakistan still requires another 91 runs to avoid an innings defeat and they will depend on the two batsmen at the crease to get them through to a stable position. Sri Lanka will anticipate an early breakthrough on the fourth day to get command on the game.