Shsikala Siriwardene put in the match-winning performance with four wickets as Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 30 runs to seal their place in the final of the Asia Cup at Karachi.
Sri Lanka struggled with the bat only managing 123 in 45.2 overs but they bowled Pakistan out for a paltry 93 in 40.4 overs with Siriwardene taking 4 for 11. Pakistan went into the match needing a win with a bonus point to stay in the competition. They started off well by reducing Sri Lanka to 15 for 3 but then conceded 21 wides allowing the visitors to sneak up to a defendable total on a difficult pitch
Parab Udawatte (28) and Hiroshi Abeyasinghe (25) forged a 56-run stand for the fourth wicket before Pakistan's left-arm spinner, Sajida Shah, grabbed three quick wickets. However, in return Pakistan found the going tough and only Arman Khan (24) and Urooj Mumtaz (16) offered resistance against some disciplined bowling by the Sri Lankans.
Sri Lanka will meet the defending champions India in the final on January 4 after they had already qualified for the final after winning their first two matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
