Kumar Sangakkara struck a defiant unbeaten 113 on Friday but Sri Lanka were still facing an uphill task to avoid defeat against Pakistan in the opening Test at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Sri Lanka trailed by 314 runs after the first innings and were still 102 behind after going to tea on day four at 212-4.
The 33-year-old Sangakkara batted through the morning session with LahiruThirimanne (68) to stretch their second wicket stand to 153 and raise Sri Lankan hopes.
But once Thirimanne gifted his wicket with a careless run out after lunch, Pakistan took the initiative with two more wickets in the second session.
Thirimanne, who struck four boundaries off 159 balls in his maiden Test half century, tried to squeeze a second run after clipping to deep square leg but Azhar Ali's accurate return found him a yard short.
Seven runs later, SaeedAjmal claimed the prized wicket of veteran MahelaJayawardene, who under-edged a cut onto his stumps right after getting off the mark with a classy on-drive for four.
Captain TillekeratneDilshan (9) also fell cheaply, losing his middle stump to left-arm seamer Juniad Khan at 191-4.
Sangakkara and Mathews shared an unbroken partnership of 21 before the tea break.
Junaid claimed 1-32 while Ajmal took 1-68.
