Left-hander Taufeeq Umar closed in on a maiden double century by hitting a career-best unbeaten 193 for Pakistan to stretch its first innings lead to 242 on day three of the opening Test at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Pakistan, replying to Sri Lanka's modest first day total of 197, went to tea on Thursday on 439-4. Taufeeq hit 15 boundaries in a marathon knock which spanned ten and a half hours and occupied 452 deliveries.
Left-hander Taufeeq Umar notched a career-best 146 not out on Thursday as Pakistan continued to dominate Sri Lanka on day three of the opening Test at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Pakistan, resuming on 259-1, went to lunch on 336-2 for an overall lead of 139 as they replied to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 197.
Taufeeq, who had notched his sixth Test century on day two, took his overnight 109 past his previous best of 135. The Lahore southpaw struck 11 boundaries off 372 balls in 516 minutes.
Sri Lanka's one breakthrough came in the morning session, with left-armer Chanaka Welegedara removing Azhar Ali for 70.
Right-hander Azhar struck six fours off 198 deliveries and shared a second wicket stand of 160 with Taufeeq.
Taufeeq found another solid ally in Younis Khan, adding a further 58 unbroken as Pakistan remained in control.
Younis, who went to the break on 25 not out, survived one chance when 16 as wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene put down a leg side catch off captain Tillekeratne Dilshan.
Welegedara (1-61) and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath (1-69) were the only successful Sri Lankan bowlers.
