Dhammika Prasad took two wickets off successive overs to lead the Sri Lankan fightback against Pakistan in the second Test at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The 28-year-old quick bowler removed openers Taufiq Umar (27) and Mohammad Hafeez (33) in the space of one run before Pakistan consolidated and went into lunch on 95 for two, still 144 runs behind Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 239 with eight wickets intact.

At the break Azhar Ali (17) and Younus Khan, the former captain, (13) were at the crease.

Pakistan started slowly after resuming at 42 without loss and benefited from two drop catches off successive deliveries from Suranga Lakmal, who was exceptional in the morning session.

It was the fifth over of the day when Lakmal got one to jump on Hafeez whose tentative push ballooned towards the covers where Tillakaratne Dilshan, the touring captain, failed to take the catch which fell behind him. Hafeez, on 25, went for a single.

On the next ball, Mahela Jayawardene dropped a regulation catch when Umar, on 24, edged.

But both openers failed to take advantage of the fielding lapses, when Umar edged Prasad to Kaushal Silva, the wicketkeeper, for his first dismissal in Tests while Hafeez was adjudged lbw in Prasad’s next over.