First Test, Galle (day three, close):
Sri Lanka 292 & 217 v Pakistan 342 & 71-2
Match scorecard

Ajmal (centre) had three more wickets to add to his two in the first innings

Debutants Mohammad Aamer and Saeed Ajmal took three wickets each to put Pakistan in command of the first Test.

With two days left in Galle, they need a further 97 after closing on 71-2.

Sri Lanka lost opener Malinda Warnapura in the opening over and though Tharanga Paranavitana hit five fours in 49, they were all out for 217 in the 57th over.

Chasing 168, Pakistan lost Khurram Manzoor and skipper Younus Khan in consecutive overs but Salman Butt fired four boundaries and was unbeaten on 28.

Overnight rain caused a slight delay to the third day's proceedings and the Pakistan bowlers exploited the conditions expertly.

The second delivery of the day from Umar Gul was immaculately located and tempted Warnapura to edge to second slip.

Tillakaratne Dilshan's attempted steer with an open face against the gentle medium pace of Younus flew straight to second slip.

Thilan Samaraweera moved confidently to 34 before his prod at Ajmal was snaffled at slip to give Ajmal his first wicket of the innings.

Another debutant, Angelo Mathews, was also guilty of a loose shot, slashing a wide delivery from Abdur Rauf to third man having reached 27.

After Left-arm paceman Aamer, only 17, had struck against the top order, spinner Ajmal ended some resistance from the tail with the final two wickets.

Sri Lanka revived their hopes with the two quick strikes in fading light, but when play ended 17 overs early because of the conditions, Butt and prolific first innings centurion Mohammad Yousuf were still at the crease.

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Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam was delighted with all three of his debutants, who took 14 wickets in the match between them.

"Aamer and Ajmal yes, but don't forget another debutant, Abdur Rauf, who bowled so well in both innings," he said.

"I must congratulate these youngsters. They have performed exceedingly well. Both Aamer and Ajmal have sharp cricketing minds and read the situation very well.

"A target of 168 does not look so big, but on a wicket like this where there is a lot of movement, it is not that easy to get, either.

"The first hour will be very crucial tomorrow. We don't want to lose wickets in a heap."

Sri Lanka's Australian coach Trevor Bayliss criticised his batsmen for a lack of discipline.

"Too many batsmen played from the crease on a wicket where the ball seamed about and paid for it," he said.

"We need to take some early wickets. Hopefully there will be some overnight rain and overcast skies and the ball will nip around a bit more like it has done in this game."

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