Skipper Misbah-ul Haq led Pakistan’s resistance with a gritty 97 to thwart Sri Lanka’s victory bid on the fourth day of the second Test in Dubai on Saturday.

Misbah missed his sixth Test hundred by a mere three runs but a career-best 70 not out by Sarfraz Ahmed and a defiant 32 by Bilawal Bhatti helped Pakistan to 7-330 at stumps on a cloudy day when the Dubai stadium lights were on most of the time.

When bad light and drizzle ended play 15 overs before schedule, Saeed Ajmal was on seven and Pakistan were leading by 107 runs with a full day’s play remaining.

Sarfraz added an invaluable 67 runs for the seventh wicket with Bhatti to frustrate the Sri Lankan bowlers after Pakistan resumed at 3-132.

Sri Lanka will look for early wrap up of Pakistan’s second innings to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after the first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi last week.

The third and final Test will be played in Sharjah from Thursday.

Sri Lanka had a good chance of dismissing Sarfraz at 51 but paceman Suranga Lakmal dropped a regulation caught and bowled chance.

Sarfraz said he felt more responsibility after Misbah’s fall: “When I was playing with Misbah, he was guiding me.

“But when he got out I felt more responsibility and I will continue to fight on Sunday and if we add another 100 then we can win this match.”

Misbah’s valiant effort helped Pakistan avoid their first-ever innings defeat against Sri Lanka before his 412-minute stand ended.

He took 38 balls to add to his overnight score of 53 and hit eight boundaries and a six under difficult circumstances.

He added an invaluable 129 for the fourth wicket with Younis Khan (77), 52 with Asad Shafiq (23) for the fifth and 45 for the sixth with Sarfraz.

He finally succumbed to the persistent Herath who has figures of 2-124.

Paceman Nuwan Pradeep had the best figures of 2-50 while Eranga took 2-70.

“The pitch is still 50-50 so if we can get them for another 50 more we can win,” said Herath.