After bundling out Sri Lanka for 166, Pakistan took management of the match and completed the day at 145-2 in Colombo, trailing by 21 runs.
Abdullah Shafique displayed his batting prowess with a powerful knock of 74 runs, whereas the skipper Babar Azam, not out at eight, accompanied him on the crease when play was halted attributable to dangerous mild.
Shafique and the left-handed Masood shaped a formidable partnership of 108 runs for the second wicket, showcasing their attacking strategy and placing Sri Lanka on the defensive.
Pakistan’s bowlers performed a vital position in establishing their dominance, with leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and quick bowler Naseem Shah shining brightly.
Collectively, they accounted for seven wickets throughout the second session, contributing considerably to dismissing the Sri Lankan crew.
In reply, Imam-ul-Haq fell early for six, however Shafique and Masood hit again with a gentle circulate of boundaries as Pakistan went about with practically six runs an over for a big a part of their innings to date.
Shafique, who was dropped by Prabath Jayasuriya on 42 off his personal bowling, reached his fifty with an impressive six off the identical bowler.
Masood raised his fifty off 44 balls, however quickly departed as quick bowler Asitha Fernando obtained his second wicket with Kusal Mendis taking a pointy diving catch at mid-wicket.
Shafique, who survived a detailed lbw name on 74, stood agency and together with Azam noticed the remainder of the day by as they went previous Sri Lanka’s first-innings whole.
Earlier, Pakistan wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings in 48.Four overs after the hosts elected to bat first.
Sri Lanka had been in early bother at 36-Four after play began 30 minutes late attributable to in a single day and early morning rain.
Dhananjaya De Silva, who made 122 and 82 in Sri Lanka’s first Take a look at loss, tried to hit again in a quickfire knock. He shared a fifth-wicket stand of 85 runs with Dinesh Chandimal, who made 34.
Naseem Shah, who took three wickets, broke the stand after he obtained Chandimal caught by Haq.
Abrar, who returned figures of 4-69, quickly obtained going with two fast wickets, together with de Silva’s, to dent Sri Lanka’s hopes of a turnaround.
De Silva reached his 13th Take a look at fifty after which hit a six off Abrar earlier than the spinner had his revenge by getting him caught at mid-wicket.
De Silva batted with freedom, hitting 9 fours and a six in his 68-ball innings, till his departure.
(With AFP Inputs)