Pakistan need 184 runs to beat Sri Lanka at tea on the final day of the first Test in Abu Dhabi.
Chasing 302, Pakistan reached 1-118 at the break on Saturday with Mohammad Hafeez unbeaten on 56 and Ahmed Shehzad 53 not out.
Earlier, Sri Lanka declared their second innings at 5-480 with Angelo Mathews scoring a career-best 157 not out and Prasanna Jayaawardene unbeaten on 63.
Junaid Khan finished with 3-93 and Bilawal Bhatti took 2-146.