Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan to reach Asia Cup 2014 final

Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan to reach Asia Cup 2014 final 

Four-time champions Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by 129 runs in Dhaka to qualify for the final of the Asia Cup 2014.

Batting first Sri Lanka posted a modest 253-6 with in-form Kumar Sangakkara hitting a solid 76 before they bowled their rivals out for a paltry 124 in 38.4 overs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka won all their three matches to gain 12 points, leaving them to play a meaningless last game against hosts Bangladesh on Thursday before having a tilt at the title.

Afghanistan, who gave a good account of themselves by beating Bangladesh by 32 runs in their second match, found Sri Lanka's pace-cum spin attack too hot to handle and only captain Mohammad Nabi (37), Asghar Stanikzai (27) and Noor Ali Zadran (21) were among the run takers.

Among the wickets for Sri Lanka were Ajantha Mendis (3/11), Thisara Perera (3/29) and Chaturanga de Silva (2/29), who proved to be handful for the Afghanistan batsmen.

Pakistan meet hosts Bangladesh on Tuesday in a match which the defending champions need to win in order to qualify for Saturday's final.