Sri Lanka down Pakistan in Asia Cup final dress rehearsal

Sri Lanka's spinners have choked Pakistan before opening batter Pathum Nissanka hit an unbeaten half-century to guide them to a five-wicket win in the Asia Cup.

Both teams had already qualified for the final on Sunday and were completing the Super 4 stage with Friday's clash with Sri Lanka maintaining their unbeaten run since losing the first game of the tournament to Afghanistan to go into the final as slight favourites.

Sri Lanka followed their template of chasing in the tournament for the fourth successive time.

Pakistan were shot out for 121 in 19.1 overs and while the Sri Lanka top order crumbled to 3-29 against Pakistan's pace inside the batting powerplay, Nissanka's gritty unbeaten 55 off 48 balls carried them to 5-124 with three overs to spare.

Babar Azam, who struggled with only 33 runs in the previous four games, top-scored with a scratchy 30 off 29 balls before Pakistan lost their last nine wickets for 58 runs.

Wanindu Hasaranga ignited the collapse by clean bowling Babar and Asif Ali off successive deliveries to finish with 3-21.

Off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana (2-21) and Dhananjanya de Silva (1-18) also tied down the batters through their disciplined bowling.

It comes as Pakistan confirmed former Australian opener Matthew Hayden would reunite with the team to mentor the side at the T20 World Cup in Australia beginning next month.

Hayden, 50, also worked with the team when they reached the semi-finals of last year's World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

"He is a proven performer with his credentials acknowledged and recognised world-over," PCB chairman Ramiz Raja said in a statement.

"He brings with him wealth of knowledge about Australia conditions and I am confident his involvement will significantly benefit our extremely talented cricketers for the World Cup and future tours Down Under."

Pakistan will compete in a tri-series in New Zealand, also involving Bangladesh, before arriving in Brisbane where Hayden will join the side ahead of their October 23 tournament opener against arch-rivals India in Melbourne.

"I think this Pakistan side has got what it takes to excel in Australia and the conditions will really suit them, both from a batting and bowling perspective," said Hayden.

"I feel privileged to be given an opportunity to pass on all my experience and knowledge about all conditions in Australia and can't wait to be back in the Pakistan dressing room."