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Ranatunga, De Silva hit form

Veteran batsmen Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva hit form with sparkling half centuries as Sri Lanka's three-day tour game against a Pakistan Board XI ended in a draw in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

Former skipper Ranatunga hit a punishing 86 not out while De Silva finished with an unbeaten 74.

Sri Lanka were 253-4 when the match was finished half an hour early.

The Board XI were dismissed for 290 in their first innings, taking a slender lead of 12 runs. Sri Lanka had made 278 in their first innings.

Sri Lanka face Pakistan in the first of three Tests in Rawalpindi starting from Saturday.

Vying for a berth in the Test eleven, Ranatunga hit 15 fours and a six off 114 balls to add to his 47 in the first outing. De Silva's innings was studded with 13 boundaries. Both missed Sri Lanka's tour to Zimbabwe last year and were not selected for the one-day series against Pakistan.

Pakistan Test prospects Younis Khan and Faisal Iqbal failed in the morning session on Wednesday. Younis, who impressed with his technique in the one-day series, was bowled by Ravinda Pushpakumara for 12. Iqbal was caught by Arnold off left arm spinner Rangana Herath for 9.

Test discard Rashid Latif played a fiery innings of 56 off 47 balls laced with eight boundaries.