Sri Lanka have been set a victory target of 288 by Pakistan to level the one-day international series at 1-1.
Hosts Sri Lanka lost the toss in Pallekele and were told to bowl by Pakistan, who won the first match on Saturday by six wickets.
Pakistan openers Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad had an opening stand of 59 before Sachith Pathirana bowled the latter for 30.
Pathirana was making his debut for the home side and ended up being their most expensive bowler. However, he took the second wicket by removing Mohammad Hafeez for nine.
Pakistan's best partnership was for the fourth wicket, when Ali and Shoaib Malik put on 83 before Malik was bowled by Angelo Mathews after scoring a run-a-ball 51.
Ali was the next to fall for 79, but Pakistan managed to regain their composure and a knock of 52 off 38 balls by Mohammad Rizwan led them to a final score of 287-8.
