Fast bowler Asif Mohammad and opening batsman Imran Farhat handed Pakistan the initiative in the opening Test against Sri Lanka on Monday.
Asif snared four for 41 as Sri Lanka were skittled out for a modest 185 and then the left-handed Farhat scored 69 from 90 balls to consolidate his team's advantage.
Pakistan finished the first day's play after Sunday's total washout on 124 for four, trailing by 61 runs with captain Inzamam-ul-Haq looking ominously dangerous on 30 not out.
Just after tea, Sri Lanka had fought themselves back into the game as three top order wickets tumbled in quick succession and Pakistan slumped to 28 for 3.
Farhat and Inzamam rescued Pakistan with a 94-run stand though Sri Lanka did strike again just before bad light stopped play when Farhat skied a bouncer and was caught at long leg.
In the Sri Lanka innings, Pakistan's Asif was well supported by new ball partner Umar Gul (two for 41) and leg spinner Danish Kaneria (three for 44).
Inzamam's decision to bowl first was quickly justified as the ball danced round off the seam on a pitch that had remained covered for 24 hours after the first day's abandonment.
Sri Lanka's openers were dismissed in a 3.4 over session before a further rain interruption held up play for 40 minutes.
Upul Tharanga (nought) was adjudged lbw to a delivery from Asif and Sanath Jayasuriya (six), playing his first Test for over six months, chopped a short ball onto his stumps.
SHOULDERING ARMS
Sri Lanka's problems escalated after the rain break, Kumar Sangakkara (eight) shouldering arms to a fine delivery from Asif that cut back to clip his off bail.
Captain Mahela Jayawardene laboured 30 minutes for his one run before chasing a wide delivery from Gul and edging a low catch to wicket keeper Kamran Akmal.
Then Thilan Samaraweera (four) played no stroke to a delivery that cannoned straight into his middle stump.
The hosts were reeling on 32 for five before middle order batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan and all rounder Farveez Maharoof launched a brave fightback either side of lunch.
Dilshan cracked his 69 from 106 balls with 10 boundaries and Maharoof scored a more sedate 46 from 90 balls.
Asif, bowling around the wicket, ended the 111-run partnership in the first over of his second spell, courtesy of a wonderful reflex catch at second slip by Younis Khan.
Khan was back in action a few minutes later as Dilshan edged a leg break from Kaneria to slip.
Kaneria deceived fellow leg spinner Malinga Bandara with a googly and with all rounder Shahid Afridi he mopped up the tail.
