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Sri Lanka’s spinners dominated Ireland, dismantling their batting lineup to secure a 20 runs victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Group B opener at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Batting first, Sri Lanka made early progress through Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara, but George Dockrell dismissed Mishara for 14 runs, breaking their 28 runs opening stand in the 4th over.
Kusal Mendis then joined Nissanka, building a stabilising 34 runs partnership that took Sri Lanka past 50, before Mark Adair removed Nissanka for 24 runs, leaving the hosts at 62 for 2 in 8 overs.
Dockrell struck again, clean bowling Pavan Rathnayake for 5 runs, and Dunith Wellalage fell to Gareth Delany for 10 runs, reducing Sri Lanka to 86 for 4, putting pressure on the middle order.
Kusal Mendis rebuilt the innings with Kamindu Mendis, forming a crucial 50 runs partnership that helped Sri Lanka surpass 100, while Kusal reached his 18th T20I half-century in a controlled innings.
The 19th over saw Barry McCarthy remove Kamindu for 44 runs and skipper Dasun Shanaka for a duck, leaving Kusal unbeaten on 56 runs off 43 balls as Sri Lanka closed on 164 for 6.
Ireland’s chase was immediately disrupted by spinners, as Maheesh Theekshana struck early to remove captain Paul Stirling for 6 runs off 13 balls, setting the tone for a disciplined bowling display.
Wanindu Hasaranga then dismantled Ireland’s middle order, claiming Ross Adair for 34 runs, Harry Tector for 40 runs, and Curtis Campher, reducing the visitors to 120 for 6 in 16.4 overs.
Theekshana returned to dismiss Ben Calitz for 4 runs and Gareth Delany for a duck in the same over, while Matheesha Pathirana wrapped up the tail, including George Dockrell and Matthew Humphreys.
Ireland managed only 143 in 19.5 overs, as Sri Lanka’s spinners took control of the match, proving decisive in restricting the chase and enabling a crucial opening win in the T20 World Cup.
