Sri Lanka were all out for 123 in 45.2 overs but they bowled Pakistan out for a paltry 93 in 40.4 overs. Siriwardene took 4-11.

Defending champions India had already qualified for the January 4 final after winning their first two matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the double-league competition.

Pakistan went into the match needing a win with a bonus point to stay in the competition. They started off well by restricting the Islanders to 15-3 but then conceded 21 wides allowing the visitors to score 123 on a difficult pitch.

Parab Udawatte (28) and Hiroshi Abeyasinghe (25) managed a 56-run stand for the fourth wicket before the home team's left-arm spinner Sajida Shah grabbed three quick wickets.

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 meet India on Sunday and Pakistan face India on Monday in two inconsequential matches.

India won the first Asia Cup by beating Sri Lanka in the two-nation event in which Pakistan failed to participate.