June 23, 2007	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 07, 1428

COLOMBO, June 22: Young Sri Lankan opener Mahela Udawatte hit a brisk half-century against Bangladesh in a three-day practice match which ended in a draw here on Friday.

The 20-year-old left-hander struck one six and eight fours in his 52-ball 53 as Sri Lanka 'A' reached 170-4 in their first innings in reply to the tourists' 245-8 declared on a rain-hit third and final day.

Opener Michael Vandort (38), wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene (31 not out) and skipper Thilan Samaraweera (30) were the other notable contributors on a day when only 36.3 overs were bowled due to rain.

Bangladeshi seamers Syed Rasel and Mohammad Sharif, and spinners Abdur Razzak and Saqibul Hasan grabbed one wicket apiece.

Bangladesh will play three Tests and three One-day Internationals on the tour, with the opening Test beginning here on June 25.

Scoreboard

BANGLADESH (1st Innings) 245-8 declared (Habibul Bashar 63).

SRI LANKA ‘A’ (1st Innings):

M.G. Vandort c Mashud b Rasel 38

M.L. Udawatte b Razzak 53

T.T. Samaraweera b Saqibul 30

J. Mubarak b Sharif 11

H.A.P.W. Jayawardene not out 31

S.H.T. Kandamby not out 1

EXTRAS (NB-6) 6

TOTAL (for four wkts, 36.3 overs) 170

FALL OF WKTS: 1-61, 2-118, 3-126, 4-161.

DID NOT BAT: M.D.K. Perera, K.S. Lokuarachchi, H.M.R.K.B. Herath, W.C.A. Ganegama, U.W.M.B.C.A. Welegedera, K.T.G.D. Prasad.

BOWLING: Syed Rasel 8-0-48-1 (3nb); Shahadat Hossain 9-0-48-0 (3nb); Mohammad Sharif 7.3-3-25-1; Saqibul Hasan 8-1-34-1.

RESULT: Match drawn.

UMPIRES: R.D. Kottahachchi and P.G. Liyanage.

NOTE: 12 players per side (11 bat, 11 field).—Agencies