Opener Ahmed Shehzad scored a maiden century but Pakistan toiled for runs in their bid for a series-levelling win against Sri Lanka in the third and final Test in Sharjah on Saturday.

The 22-year-old right-hander made 147 in only his second Test as Pakistan reached 6-291 at stumps on the third day, still 137 runs behind Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 9-428 declared.

Pakistan lost Sarfraz Ahmed for five, caught behind off spinner Rangana Herath in the last over of the day. Misbah-ul Haq was unbeaten on 36.

With two days remaining and Pakistan lagging well behind they will be hard pressed to enforce a result, with Sri Lanka happy for a draw.

Pakistan, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series after losing the second Test in Dubai by nine wickets, managed 150 runs in the first two sessions after resuming at 0-19, losing opener Khurram Manzoor (52) and Azhar Ali (eight).

But Shehzad, who made 55 in the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi, increased the pace in the last session, helping Pakistan to 122 runs in the two hours but Pakistan lost four wickets.

Shehzad took 230 balls to reach the three-figure mark studded with seven fours. His second fifty came off 80 balls.

He was finally bowled off a reverse sweep against Herath. Shehzad batted for 339 minutes, hit 12 fours and a six.

“It’s my debut series and I made a century, so it’s a kind of dream come true for me,” said Shehzad.

“I was surprised with their negative approach although they had 400 runs on board, they had packed the leg side and it made runs hard to come by.”

Shehzad hoped Pakistan enforce a result in the match.

“I think we should play two more sessions and equal their score and we will try to come back into the match, we are going for the result in the match, it’s a do-or-die for us.”

Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara said Sunday’s first hour will be crucial.

“I think we played well, if we get a couple of wickets in the morning tomorrow, especially Misbah, then we would be able to do quite well,” said Sangakkara.

In a slow but steady start he put on 114 for the opening wicket with Manzoor.

Manzoor fell soon after lunch as he tried to glance a leg-side delivery from paceman Shaminda Eranga but only managed to snick it to wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene.

Ali, dropped for the first two Tests, battled for 27 deliveries and departed after edging off-spinner Dilruwan Perera to slip for his first Test wicket.

Both Manzoor and Ali challenged the umpire’s decisions but ended up wasting both Pakistan’s referrals.

Experienced batsman Younis Khan was caught behind on 17 off Herath who had the best figures amongst Sri Lankan bowlers with 3-88.

Eranga had 2-53 while Perera took 1-71.