Sangakkara wants more of the same

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Friday's 57-run victory over West Indies at the Oval booked Sri Lanka's passage into the final just three months after several of the players were injured when terrorists attacked their team bus in Lahore on the way to play Pakistan in the second Test.

"It's fitting reward for the courage and the way we have played in this tournament," said Sangakkara.

"I think what Lahore really brought home to us was that we are the same as everyone else - it can happen to anyone and it happened to us.

"Sometimes it's nice to be reminded of your mortality when things like the press build you up to be a bit more than that in this sporting culture.

"I think it's great the way the guys have prepared mentally, the way they've gone out showed no fear and just gone out and played cricket - they've been able to just go out and play cricket and I think this is a fitting reward for that attitude."

Sri Lanka maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament with Tillakaratne Dilshan hitting an unbeaten 96 off 57 balls, the third highest Twenty20 international innings in history, to help them reach a competitive 158 for five.

West Indies were dismissed for a lowly 101 in reply despite captain Chris Gayle finishing unbeaten on 63 with Ajantha Mendis again underlining his credentials as player of the tournament by claiming two for nine from his four overs.

"He's won us enough games in this tournament to be called a great spinner in the T20 format - he's already a great player in every other format," enthused Sangakkara.

"He's a charm for us the way he's bowled in the middle overs, and even in the first six overs. Even against Pakistan, they watched him and didn't really attack him because they know one slight mistake either way and they can get out."