Mahela Jayawardene has admitted that it was difficult to leave Akila Dananjaya out of the Sri Lanka team that booked their spot in the World Twenty20 final on Thursday.

Rangana Herath was preferred to the 18-year-old and Jayawardene's decision was justified when the spinner took three wickets in the 16-run victory.

The Sri Lanka captain said: "It was a tough call. It's Akila's birthday today, and he was disappointed when I told him he's not playing - you should see his face.

"But we thought that the two experienced spinners would carry us through today - and they did the job for us.

"You have to make some tough calls. As I've always said, sometimes they pay off, sometimes they don't."

Sri Lanka will meet Australia or the West Indies in the final, with the second semi-final taking place on Friday.