Pakistan lost five wickets in the second session to reach 6-128 at tea on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Dubai on Wednesday.
Sent into bat, Pakistan were 1-57 at lunch but lost five wickets for 71 runs as Sri Lankan pacemen exploited the conditions well at the Dubai stadium.
At tea, Sarfraz Ahmed was on six and with him Bilawal Bhatti had yet to open the mark.
Opener Khurram Manzoor top-scored with 73 while first Test centurions Younis Khan (13) and Misbah-ul Haq (one) failed.
All three pacemen Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal took two wickets apiece.