Sri Lanka Beat Ireland by 20 Runs in T20 World Cup Group B Clash

Sri Lanka secured a 20-run victory over Ireland in the 6th match of Group B at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2025-26.

The win came at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, anchored by crucial knocks from Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis, backed by a dominant spin attack. Sent in to bat, Sri Lanka posted 163 for 6, then bowled Ireland out for 143 in 19.5 overs.

Ireland’s Fielding Woes Boost Sri Lankan Total

Ireland’s captain, Paul Stirling, won the toss and elected to bowl first. He felt the drier pitch suggested a chase was better. Sri Lanka started briskly, but their innings slowed in the middle overs. They were 104 for 4 after 16 overs, then the real acceleration started.

Kusal Mendis proved the anchor, scoring an unbeaten 56 off 43 balls. His partner, Kamindu Mendis, provided the fireworks. Kamindu smashed 44 runs off just 19 deliveries. A 67-run fifth-wicket partnership between them, scored in just 30 balls, changed the game.

Ireland’s fielding didn’t help their cause. They dropped seven catches during the Sri Lankan innings. Kamindu Mendis got a reprieve on 14 runs, Kusal Mendis on 34. And then, in one over from Matthew Humphreys, Ireland let three more catches slip, conceding 21 runs. This was a critical stretch.

Ireland captain Paul Stirling post-match said, “I felt they got 15 to 20 too many… When the match was on the line, we were not as clinical as we wanted to be and a bit sloppy in the field, which is disappointing.” Stirling told Sky Sports. His team couldn’t capitalize on their early advantage.

Barry McCarthy did pick up two wickets in the penultimate over, including Kamindu’s dismissal and a golden duck for Dasun Shanaka. But by then, Sri Lanka had reached a competitive total.

Spin Twins Choke Ireland’s Chase

Ireland’s chase began promisingly. Ross Adair scored 34 and Harry Tector added 40. They reached 52 for 1 in seven overs. It looked like they were building a platform. But that’s when Sri Lanka’s spinners stepped up.

Wanindu Hasaranga, despite battling a hamstring issue, bowled a spell of 3 for 25 from his four overs. He limited his follow-through but delivered crucial wickets. Maheesh Theekshana was equally effective, taking 3 for 23. Theekshana dismissed Ben Calitz and Gareth Delany on successive balls, triggering a middle-order collapse.

Ireland lost their last eight wickets for just 38 runs. Their innings crumbled from 105 for 2 to 143 all out in 19.5 overs. Sri Lanka’s experience in defending totals, especially with spin, showed through.

Reflecting on a Missed Opportunity for Ireland

Stirling’s pre-match thoughts on the pitch, which he noted was “hard and firm but a bit drier,” led him to pick an extra batter. He hoped this would help with the chase. But it wasn’t enough.

Reflecting on the match, Stirling acknowledged, “Experience told today at the end of both innings, and it was the difference. They defended well at the back end, they upped the ante and put the squeeze on.” Sri Lanka’s tactical prowess and execution ultimately prevailed.

Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, had suggested that “Anything over 170 would be very good on this pitch” before the game. His team didn’t hit that mark, but 163 was enough thanks to their bowlers.

Match Statistics and Player Lineups

Sri Lanka’s victory continues their strong head-to-head record against Ireland in T20Is. They have now won all four of their encounters.

The individual performances of Kusal Mendis (56* off 43 balls) and Kamindu Mendis (44 off 19 balls) stand out for Sri Lanka’s batting, while Hasaranga and Theekshana were the pick of the bowlers.