Former India captain Sourav Ganguly scored a fluent half-century on Wednesday in a domestic match he was asked to play by selectors to prove his form for the Pakistan tour.

Ganguly top-scored with a fluent 59, including nine boundaries, for Bengal against Tamil Nadu in Kolkata on the second day of the Ranji Trophy championship match.

The 33-year-old left-hander has suffered a prolonged batting slump and annoyed national selectors by not heeding instructions to play in the previous round of the competition.

Also Read Ganguly caught in danger zone Ganguly's fate in focus Highs & lows of Indian cricket Schedule: India in Pakistan

Ganguly has been the centre of controversy since being dropped from the team for the third Test against Sri Lanka but then recalled for this month's Pakistan tour.

On Tuesday, Ganguly, who took three wickets, was banned from bowling further in the first innings of the four-day match after receiving two warnings for running on the pitch.