Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed hit fighting half-centuries yesterday to thwart Sri Lanka and set up an enthralling finish to the second and final day-night Test in Dubai.

Shafiq scored an unbeaten 86 while skipper Ahmed was 57 not out as they lifted Pakistan from a perilous position at 52-5 to 198-5 at close after being set a daunting target of 317.

The pair added 146 for the unbroken sixth-wicket stand to leave Pakistan needing another 119 runs with five wickets in hand to level the series.

Earlier, paceman Wahab Riazgrabbed four for 41 and left-arm spinner Haris Sohail took three wickets in a single over to dismiss Sri Lanka for 96 in their second innings, after they resumed on 34-5. Masood and Azhar Ali (17) added 31 for the second wicket before the batting collapse began. Pakistan's Sohail later struck thrice in his only over to give his team hope of an upset win.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SRI LANKA: First Innings 482

PAKISTAN: First Innings 262

SRI LANKA: Second Innings 96 (Mendis 29; Riaz 4-41, Sohail 3-1)

PAKISTAN: Second Innings 198 for 5 (Shafiq 86 not out, Sarfraz 57 not out; Perera 3-76)