Sri Lanka qualify T20 final

Hosts Sri Lanka reached the final of the
World Twenty20 after defending a total
of 139-4 for a 16-run win against
Pakistan in Colombo.
Opener Mohammad Hafeez hit 42 off
40 balls but was one of three victims
for left-arm spinner Rangana Herath
(3-25) as Pakistan's run chase finished
short on 123-7.
Herath's spin partner Ajantha Mendis
(2-27) and seamer Angelo Mathews
(2-27) chipped in with a couple of
wickets each.
Pakistan number six Umar Akmal
(29no) did his best in the closing overs
as the required-rate spiralled but
received little support from the lower
order.
With 27 needed off the last 12 balls,
Lasith Malinga (0-19) conceded only
four runs from the penultimate over
and Nuwan Kulasekara (0-15) finished
off the job for Sri Lanka without alarm.
Openers Mahela Jayawardene (42) and
Tillakaratne Dilshan (35) had earlier
used up more put on 63 in 10.2 overs
after Sri Lanka opted to bat first.
Wickets then fell regularly to further
stall the innings before the final over,
bowled by Umar Gul, disappeared for
16 runs as fifth-wicket duo Thisara
Perera (11no) and Angelo Mathews
(10no) got their side up to 139-4.
The second semi-final between
Australia and West Indies takes place at
the same venue on Friday.