Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara has hailed his side's mental strength after they sealed their place in the ICC World T20 final.

With Pakistan already in the final following their shock defeat of South Africa, Sri Lanka's resounding 57-run win over West Indies at The Oval ensured the two sides, who were caught in the middle of the Lahore terrorist atrocity in March, would meet again at the Lord's showpiece.

Tillakaratne Dilshan, with a superb unbeaten 96, set up the win for Sri Lanka, before a fine all-round bowling performance sealed a victory by a handsome margin.

And although Sangakkara was happy to champion his team's technical ability, he was just as keen to praise the character they have shown in the aftermath of Lahore.

SX4 Performer: Dilshan

"It's a fitting reward for our 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 (terrorism) can happen to anyone and it happened to us. Sometimes it is nice to be reminded of your mortality when things like the press can build you up to be a bit more than that in this sporting culture.

Relive the SL-WI match in pics

"I think it's great the way the guys have prepared mentally and the way they've gone out, showed no fear and just focused on cricket.

"I think this is a fitting reward for that attitude."

While Sangakkara, whose side made 158/5 before rolling the Windies over for 101, happily conceded Sri Lanka "owed everything" to Dilshan's masterful knock, he reserved special praise for Ajantha Mendis.

Mendis' control and variation have made him virtually unplayable throughout the tournament and his spell at The Oval, a remarkable return of 4-0-9-2, was from the top drawer.

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Reflecting on his match-winning 'mystery' spinner, Sangakkara said: "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.

"He has been very creative all tour. It was a near flawless effort from our bowlers."

The ICC World Twenty20 2009 has been a story of spinners shining in the shorter format of the game. Write in to us with your thoughts at: fanspeak@espnstar.co.in