Rangana Herath was again the star for Sri Lanka as he took four second-innings wickets for just 46 runs as Pakistan were reduced to 127-7 on day four of the second Test in Colombo.
Facing a target of 271 to win, Pakistan lost Khurram Manzoor for 10 and Ahmed Shehzad for eight in quick succession to the bowling of Dhammika Prasad.
However, it was Herath who ripped through the Pakistan lineup with another spell of devastating bowling following his record-breaking nine-wicket haul yesterday.
Pakistan will need to find 144 runs to claim victory when the Test resumes tomorrow.
