Sri Lanka was in trouble at stumps on the first day of play in the first Test against Pakistan in Colombo, after being dismissed for 185 in its first innings.
Pakistan finished the day 61 runs adrift after reaching 124-4. Inzamam-ul-Haq (30) and Abdul Razzaq (1) were the not out batsmen.
After the first day was washed out, the tourists won the toss and sent Sri Lanka in to bat under overcast skies on a moist pitch and coach Tom Moody said he was disappointed with his top order, but believes his side is still in the contest.
"It was not an ideal toss to lose and we'd have loved to have a bowl early on," he told AFP.
"We knew it was going to be challenging but we also knew the pitch would settle down - unfortunately, the damage at the top was too severe."
"I was disappointed with the top order. I thought we played at too many deliveries and followed the ball although a couple of the boys got special deliveries that on another day would probably knock them over again."
"There is no doubt that we have got some homework to do with our batting. The quality is there but the top order is not firing as it should do."
Sri Lanka was reeling at 32-5 with none of its top five batsmen reaching double figures. Kumar Sangakkara was the best of the top order, scoring eight runs.
But Tillakaratne Dilshan (69) and Farveez Maharoof (46) combined for a 111-run partnership to saved the hosts from total embarrassment.
"I still think the game is very open and the first two sessions tomorrow will be critical," Moody said.
"If we bowl well and bat better on what will be an easier pitch then we could find ourselves right back in the match."
Asif Mohammad was the catalyst for Sri Lanka's destruction, capturing three of the first five wickets, including opener Upul Tharanga for a duck. He finished with 4-41 from 15 overs.
"There was a bit of moisture in the pitch and I just tried to bowl a good line and length," Asif said.
Imran Farhat got Pakistan off to a solid start with 69 from 90 balls, while Farveez Maharoof and Lasith Malinga combined to take three quick wickets just after the tea break.
