Dubai: Seasoned batsmen Younis Khan and Misbah-ul Haq hit resolute half-centuries to take the fight to Sri Lanka in the second Test here today.
Younis was unbeaten on 62 and Misbah scored 52 not out to help Pakistan reach 132-2 at close on the third day at the Dubai stadium pitch which is likely to help spinners on the last two days.
Pakistan still need another 93 runs to avoid an innings defeat and go 1-0 down in the three Test series after the first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.
Younis and Misbah -- who both hit hundreds in Abu Dhabi last week, came together with Pakistan in dire straits at 19-3. They held the batting together during their unfinished 113-run fourth wicket stand.
Sri Lanka earlier gained a big 223-run lead by scoring 388 in their first knock. Pakistan had made 165 in the first innings.
It was paceman Nuwan Pradeep (2-28) who gave Pakistan early wobbles.
Pradeep, who took a career best 3-62 in the first innings, had Mohammad Hafeez (one) caught behind in his second over and in his fourth swung one across Manzoor (six) for wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene to take his seventh catch of the match.
Pakistan had lost opener Ahmed Shehzad in the last over before lunch, caught behind for nine off spinner Rangana Herath.
It was left to Younis and Misbah to fight one more time for Pakistan.
Younis was more cautious, reaching his 28th half-century with a single off Herath and continued to bat solidly during his 142-ball stay, hitting four boundaries.
Misbah completed his 3,000 Test runs when on 10, becoming Pakistan's 15th batsmen to achieve the milestone. The Pakistan captain survived one leg-before referral on one and twice on close catches behind the wicket, once off a miscued hook which went to the boundary.Australia have recalled dynamic opener David Warner while captain Michael Clarke, who missed the one-day series in India last year with chronic back trouble, also returns.
But the tourists have been given some respite from Ashes man-of-the-series Mitchell Johnson, with the left-arm paceman rested for Melbourne after terrorising the tourists with 37 wickets during the Ashes.
"It's important that we put out the best side we possibly can but we have to understand it's been a hectic five Test matches and some of the Test boys especially are getting a bit weary," coach Darren Lehmann said.
Ashes victors Brad Haddin, George Bailey and Shane Watson are all likely to play, although they too could be rested for one or more of the other four matches in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide.
"We'll sum it up (resting) as we go. We certainly want to pick and choose where we can do it," said Lehmann.
"We want to make sure we're putting a good squad together looking ahead to the World Cup."
Bailey was one of the few Australians to underperform during the Ashes and will be looking for some big scores to rescue his Test spot for next month's three-Test tour of South Africa.
The same goes for impressive fast bowler James Pattinson, who is aiming to make it back for South Africa after missing the majority of the back-to-back Ashes series with stress fractures.
