Sri Lanka Beats Ireland in Close T20 World Cup Game

In the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka played a close game against Ireland. Sri Lanka scored 163 runs. Ireland fought back but Sri Lanka's bowlers did well. Kusal Mendis scored 56 runs for Sri Lanka.
By Newsroom | Cricket, Sri Lanka |

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 match between Sri Lanka and Ireland, held on February 8, 2026, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, presented a closely contested affair. Ireland won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that saw Sri Lanka set a target of 163 runs for their opponents. The match saw significant shifts in momentum, with key wickets falling and strategic bowling from both sides aiming to assert control. The outcome hinged on crucial performances during both innings, culminating in a final score that left the result in the balance for a considerable period.

Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE Score, T20 World Cup 2026: IRE: 56/1 (8); Hasaranga removes Ross Adair - The Indian Express - 1

Match Overview

The T20 World Cup fixture between Sri Lanka and Ireland marked a significant opening encounter for both teams in Group B. Ireland's decision to bowl first after winning the toss aimed to leverage any potential advantage from bowling conditions. Sri Lanka's innings saw a mixed performance, with an initial strong start faltering before a late surge propelled them to a total of 163 runs. Ireland's pursuit of this target was met with stern bowling, and the match progressed with periods of pressure applied by both sides.

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Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE Score, T20 World Cup 2026: IRE: 56/1 (8); Hasaranga removes Ross Adair - The Indian Express - 2

Key Events and Turning Points

Sri Lanka's Innings: Setting the Target

Sri Lanka's batting effort was characterized by periods of strong play punctuated by dismissals.

Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE Score, T20 World Cup 2026: IRE: 56/1 (8); Hasaranga removes Ross Adair - The Indian Express - 3

  • Opening Partnership: Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara provided a brisk start for Sri Lanka, setting a positive tone early in the innings.

  • Wickets Fall: The momentum shifted as key batsmen were dismissed. Nissanka was caught by Paul Stirling off George Dockrell's bowling. Mishara was later caught by McCarthy off Mark Adair. Pavan Rathnayake was bowled by Dockrell, and Dunith Wellalage was caught by George Dockrell off Gareth Delany's bowling. Kamindu Mendis was dismissed caught by Dockrell off Barry McCarthy's bowling, and Dasun Shanaka was caught by Mark Adair off McCarthy.

  • Resilience and Recovery: Despite the loss of wickets, Kusal Mendis anchored the innings, scoring 56 runs. His performance, along with contributions from others, helped Sri Lanka reach a competitive total. The team ultimately posted 163 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Ireland's Pursuit: Applying Pressure

Chasing the target, Ireland experienced early pressure from Sri Lanka's bowlers.

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Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE Score, T20 World Cup 2026: IRE: 56/1 (8); Hasaranga removes Ross Adair - The Indian Express - 4

  • Early Breakthrough: Wanindu Hasaranga proved instrumental in breaking Ireland's opening stand, dismissing Ross Adair for 34 runs. Maheesh Theekshana also managed to secure a crucial wicket, removing Paul Stirling.

  • Steady Scoring and Wicket Tumbles: Ireland reached 56 runs for the loss of 1 wicket at one point, with Ross Adair being a significant contributor. However, subsequent dismissals, including Ross Adair falling to Hasaranga (out bowled), and Paul Stirling falling to Theekshana, put Sri Lanka back in a commanding position. By the 9th over, Ireland's score was 62/2. Later in the innings, Ross Adair was dismissed for 34 runs, leaving Ireland at 125/4 in the 17th over.

Player Performances

  • Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis was a standout performer with the bat, scoring 56 runs. Wanindu Hasaranga was a key bowler, taking wickets and applying pressure.

  • Ireland: Ross Adair provided a crucial knock of 34 runs during the chase, showing resilience against Sri Lanka's bowling attack.

Tactical Considerations

  • Toss Decision: Ireland's choice to field first indicated a belief in their ability to restrict Sri Lanka and chase down the target.

  • Spin Bowling: With the match being played in Colombo, the conditions were expected to favor spinners, a factor that influenced both teams' strategies. Sri Lanka appeared to adapt well to the spin, while Ireland's introduction of spinners aimed to tighten the scoring.

Final Score

Sri Lanka: 163/6 (20 overs)Ireland: Score at the time of available data: 62/2 (9 overs), 125/4 (18.4 overs). The final score for Ireland is not explicitly stated in the provided text, but the target was 164.

Expert Insights

Commentary suggests Wanindu Hasaranga's bowling was a pivotal factor in Sri Lanka's ability to regain control of the match. Captain Dasun Shanaka had expressed optimism about the pitch, anticipating a score above 170 to be impressive, indicating the competitive nature of the target set. The "sluggish" nature of the track was also noted as a factor that required caution from the batting side.

Conclusion and Implications

The match presented a tense contest where Sri Lanka managed to set a challenging target, largely due to Kusal Mendis's half-century and Wanindu Hasaranga's impactful bowling. Ireland's chase showed moments of promise, particularly from Ross Adair, but they faced significant pressure from Sri Lanka's bowling unit. The game highlighted the importance of key individual performances and tactical decisions in a T20 World Cup fixture. The outcome would have significant implications for both teams' standing in Group B.

Sources Used:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the match?
Sri Lanka won the match against Ireland.
Q: What was Sri Lanka's score?
Sri Lanka scored 163 runs.
Q: Who was the best player for Sri Lanka?
Kusal Mendis scored 56 runs for Sri Lanka.
Q: What did Ireland do first?
Ireland chose to bowl first after winning the toss.
Q: Where was the match played?
The match was played in Colombo, Sri Lanka.