Dubai (web desk): Having been 52 for 5 in the pursuit of 317, Pakistan lost the chance to win the match but Sarfraz and Shafiq stayed largely on the pitch, carried Pakistan to within 119 of an improbable victory.
Chasing 136 at Abu Dhabi, Pakistan lost what seemed to be an un-losable Test. Having been 52 for 5 in the pursuit of 317, they have now left themselves a chance of winning what appeared to be an unwinnable one.
Sri Lanka still has five wickets to get. Pakistan needs 119 runs to square the series. If the visitors break through, it will be the first time since 2010 that Pakistan has been defeated in the UAE. If Pakistan gets across the line, it would be their third 300-plus chase against Sri Lanka in four years.