In the SL vs IRE T20 World CUP 2026 match, Ireland won the toss and chose to bowl first. This was considered with respect to the pitch conditions, which favoured bowlers, especially spin bowlers, as the match progressed. The Sri Lankan team was invited to bat first at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Sri Lanka gave a target of 164 runs with the help of Kusal (56) and Kamindu Mendis (44) and spinners of Sri Lanka helped team to restrict Ireland at 143 runs.
Sri Lanka Begins Innings with Steady Start
Sri Lanka started their innings with Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara at the crease. The hosts started their innings carefully and in the first two overs scored 18 runs without the loss of any wickets.
First Wicket Falls Early for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka did not increase its tempo in the initial overs. On the final ball of the fourth over, Kamil Mishara got dismissed after scoring 14 runs in 11 balls. Ireland received the first breakthrough through Mark Adair. At the end of the fourth over, Sri Lanka was at 28/1.
Powerplay Ends with Sri Lanka Crossing 50
However, Sri Lanka managed to achieve 50 by the end of the power play. Kusal Mendis was aggressive in the sixth over, hitting three boundaries to boost the run rate. At the end of the sixth over, Sri Lanka scored 50/1, where Nissanka scored 20 and Kusal Mendis 14.
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Nissanka Departs as Ireland Tightens Grip
In the SL vs IRE match, Ireland once again scored in the ninth over. Pathum Nissanka got caught by Paul Stirling at cover, who bowled for Ireland’s George Dockrell. Nissanka managed a total of 24 runs off 23. SL’s total score was 62/2 in 8.2 overs.
SL vs IRE: Middle-Order Struggles Continue
The problems for Sri Lanka grew as Pawan Ratnayake was unable to make any significant contribution, managing only 5 runs from 9 balls before he was dismissed by George Dockrell. After 11 overs, Sri Lanka was struggling at 71/3.
Fourth Wicket Puts Sri Lanka Under Pressure
The disciplined bowling by Ireland continued, and with the last ball of the 14th over, Gareth Delany sent back Wellalage, who made 10 runs off 13 balls, and Sri Lanka were down to 87/4, clearly struggling in the match SL vs IRE.
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Kamindu Mendis Turns the Game Around
The momentum, however, changed dramatically when Kamindu Mendis launched a counterattack. Sri Lanka started to score 21 runs in the 17th over. The scorecard read 125/4 in favour of Sri Lanka after 17 overs, as Kamindu ran to 28 in just 12 balls.
Sri Lanka Finishes Strong with 163 Runs
Sri Lanka closed their innings at 163/6 in 20 overs. However, Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 56 runs. Kamindu Mendis scored 44 runs off 19 balls
Ireland conceded 19 runs in a prolonged 19th over bowled by Barry McCarthy, and this helped Sri Lanka go past 160. Ireland required 164 to win, and this was in the match between SL and IRE.
Ireland Begins Chase on a Challenging Pitch
Ireland opened the innings with Paul Stirling and Ross Adair. The chase appeared quite tricky from the outset in the SL vs IRE fixture with some turn and grip for spinners.
Early Setback as Stirling Falls
Ireland also lost their skipper early as Paul Stirling was dismissed for 6 runs off 13 balls. The first wicket was lost for 24 runs, adding pressure on the visitors.
Ross Adair Dismissed After Quick Knock
Ireland received another blow when Ross Adair, who looked to be in fine form, got dismissed for 34 off 23 balls. Wanindu Hasaranga got the important wicket as Ireland’s chase of the target received another blow in the SL vs IRE match.
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Partnership not enough to chase the target
Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker built a stable partnership in the middle over phase where Ireland just needed 51 off 30 balls but Ireland was not able to capitalize the beverage even a moderate target against the mighty spinners of Sri Lanka. Ireland got all out at 143 runs and lost their 1st match of the T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.
Wanindu Hasranga heroics steals the spotlight
The lead wicket taker of ICC T20 World Cup behind Shakib Al Hasan with 40 wickets. Even thought he was suffering from a hamstring injury he got a wicket in his 1st over of the stable batsman Ross Adair who looked dangerous at 34 runs.
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