Sri Lanka vs Ireland HIGHLIGHTS T20 World Cup 2026: SL get opening win, beat IRE by 20 runs
Sri Lanka gave Ireland a challenging total of 163/6 to defend as their spinners and pacers were brilliant on the night. Theekshana and Hasaranga picked up 3-fers on the night.
 "Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 20 runs in their T20 WC opener")
Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 20 runs in their T20 WC opener
In a tense and thrilling encounter at the T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lanka triumphed over Ireland by 20 runs, securing victory with a strong finish in both their batting and bowling performances.
Sri Lanka set a competitive total of 163/6 in their 20 overs, with a remarkable turnaround in the final overs. After a tight middle period (overs 7-15), where Ireland’s spinners, led by Gareth Delany, kept the Sri Lankan batsmen under control, the match shifted dramatically in the last four overs. Kamindu Mendis played a match-defining knock of 30 runs off 14 balls, including a blistering 45-run surge in just 11 balls. Kusal Mendis top-scored for Sri Lanka with 49 runs off 38 balls, anchoring the innings through the middle overs.
Ireland, who had kept Sri Lanka under pressure, faltered in the field, dropping crucial catches and misjudging deliveries, which allowed Sri Lanka to capitalise on these missed opportunities. Mark Adair and George Dockrell were the standout bowlers for Ireland, but the late blitz from Mendis and others ensured that Sri Lanka reached a challenging total.
In response, Ireland seemed to be on track at 105/2 but lost quick wickets in a collapse. Maheesh Theekshana was the standout bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 23 runs, including two key dismissals in the middle overs. The collapse continued as Pathirana bowled a fast yorker to dismiss Matthew Humphreys, sealing the game for Sri Lanka.
Despite a spirited effort from Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker, who had a strong partnership earlier, Ireland was dismissed for 121/8. Pathirana finished with impressive figures, taking 2 wickets and helping Sri Lanka bowl Ireland out with 6 balls remaining.
Sri Lanka's disciplined bowling and fielding, along with Ireland’s costly mistakes, ensured a 20-run victory, with Sri Lanka moving forward with confidence in the tournament.
Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup 2026: Playing 11
Sri Lanka playing 11: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(w), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
Ireland playing 11: Paul Stirling(c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys
10:51 PM
Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 World Cup 2026: SL beat IRE by 20 runs!
In a thrilling finish, Pathirana sealed the game for Sri Lanka, claiming the final two wickets. First, George Dockrell (9 off 7) was caught at sweeper cover by Kamindu Mendis off a wide full delivery, with Dockrell's lofted shot going straight to him.
Then, Matthew Humphreys (0 off 2) was bowled out as Pathirana delivered a fast full-length delivery that skidded off the pitch, cleanly removing the off-stump. Sri Lanka emerged victorious, dismissing Ireland for 121/8. Pathirana's key contributions secured his figures at 4-0-23-2, finishing the match in style.
Then, Matthew Humphreys (0 off 2) was bowled out as Pathirana delivered a fast full-length delivery that skidded off the pitch, cleanly removing the off-stump. Sri Lanka emerged victorious, dismissing Ireland for 121/8. Pathirana's key contributions secured his figures at 4-0-23-2, finishing the match in style.
Ireland’s innings stumbled as they fell short, with Pathirana's pace and precision bringing the game to a close.
10:34 PM
Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 World Cup 2026: IRE in trouble at 121/6!
Maheesh Theekshana is putting on a brilliant spell as Ireland's innings continues to falter. In the 16th over, he claimed two quick wickets, including Benjamin Calitz, who was stumped by Kusal Mendis after missing a lofted shot. Then, Theekshana struck again, sending Gareth Delany back to the pavilion with a top-edged pull that was caught by Chameera. Ireland's score is now 121/6, with Curtis Campher (9 off 8) and George Dockrell (1 off 1) at the crease. Theekshana's figures stand at 4-0-23-3, making him a pivotal figure in the match.
10:21 PM
Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 World Cup 2026: Wellalage gets Tucker!
Wellalage gets his first wicket as Tucker departs with IRE in trouble with the score at 105/3 after 14.2 overs!
9:55 PM
Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 World Cup 2026: IRE 72/2 at the halfway stage!
Ireland is at 72/2 after 10 overs, with Harry Tector on 24 from 20 balls and Lorcan Tucker on 3 from 4. Matheesha Pathirana has bowled a tight spell, conceding 20 runs in his 2 overs, but hasn’t managed to pick up a wicket yet.
Pathirana started his over by giving away a single to Tector, before he played a cracking shot for a boundary, getting an inside edge past Kusal Mendis. Tucker then drove a good-length ball to backward point for a single. Tector continued his aggression with a couple of controlled shots, including a two to deep cover.
8:56 PM
Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 World Cup 2026: SL set 164-run target for IRE!
It's a remarkable turnaround considering their earlier struggles. Between overs 7-15, the Sri Lankan batters couldn’t find a boundary as Ireland's spinners had them completely under control. However, a series of missed chances, combined with some powerful hitting from Kamindu Mendis, shifted the momentum in Sri Lanka's favor towards the end. In the final four overs, they amassed 60 runs, including a blistering 11-ball phase that produced 45 runs.
8:35 PM
Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 World Cup 2026: SL 135/4 after 18 overs!
Sri Lanka has reached 135/4 after 18 overs, with Kusal Mendis on 49 (38 balls) and Kamindu Mendis on 30 (14 balls). Mark Adair returned to the attack, conceding 10 runs in his over, including a dropped catch from Kusal at deep backward square.
Kamindu Mendis continued his aggressive approach, hitting a boundary through deep extra cover. Earlier, Matthew Humphreys' over went for 21 runs, with Kamindu Mendis hitting two boundaries and a six, including a dropped catch by Dockrell. Kusal Mendis also benefitted from a misjudged scoop, while Campher failed to take a catch, allowing the Sri Lankans to capitalize.
Kamindu Mendis continued his aggressive approach, hitting a boundary through deep extra cover. Earlier, Matthew Humphreys' over went for 21 runs, with Kamindu Mendis hitting two boundaries and a six, including a dropped catch by Dockrell. Kusal Mendis also benefitted from a misjudged scoop, while Campher failed to take a catch, allowing the Sri Lankans to capitalize.
8:27 PM
Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 World Cup 2026: SL 104/4 after 16 overs!
Sri Lanka has moved to 104/4 at the end of the 16th over, with Kamindu Mendis on 14 from 9 balls and Kusal Mendis at 34 off 31. Gareth Delany continued his tight spell, conceding just 24 runs in his four overs.
Kamindu Mendis finally broke the boundary drought, reverse-sweeping a googly for four over short third. Kusal Mendis also struck a single after stepping out but couldn't get enough elevation. Kamindu swept another ball for a couple of runs, despite an excellent stop from Campher near the boundary.
The Sri Lankan pair is rebuilding after the middle-order collapse.
Kamindu Mendis finally broke the boundary drought, reverse-sweeping a googly for four over short third. Kusal Mendis also struck a single after stepping out but couldn't get enough elevation. Kamindu swept another ball for a couple of runs, despite an excellent stop from Campher near the boundary.
The Sri Lankan pair is rebuilding after the middle-order collapse.
8:00 PM
Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 World Cup 2026: 5 runs from the over!
Sri Lanka is at 76/3 at the end of the 12th over. Kusal Mendis has moved to 27 off 22 balls, while Dunith Wellalage is on 4 off 7. Harry Tector has bowled a tidy over, conceding just 5 runs. He started by delivering a sharp turn to Mendis, who managed to steer it for a single to short third.
Wellalage also found a single after attempting to dance down the track but could only defend the ball. Mendis later collected two runs to deep square leg. Sri Lanka is slowly rebuilding, but the pressure remains with the loss of three early wickets.
Wellalage also found a single after attempting to dance down the track but could only defend the ball. Mendis later collected two runs to deep square leg. Sri Lanka is slowly rebuilding, but the pressure remains with the loss of three early wickets.
7:55 PM
Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 World Cup 2026: SL 71/3 after 11 overs!
At the end of the 11th over, Sri Lanka is 71/3. Dunith Wellalage has just come to the crease and is on 2 off 4 balls, while Kusal Mendis is still there on 24 from 19. George Dockrell delivered a superb over, taking the crucial wicket of Pavan Rathnayake (5 off 9), who was bowled out after attempting a scoop shot.
The ball kept low and hit the stumps. Dockrell has been in excellent form, taking 2 wickets for just 9 runs. Wellalage has yet to settle, and Sri Lanka faces pressure as they have lost three wickets in quick succession.
The ball kept low and hit the stumps. Dockrell has been in excellent form, taking 2 wickets for just 9 runs. Wellalage has yet to settle, and Sri Lanka faces pressure as they have lost three wickets in quick succession.
7:50 PM
Sri Lanka vs Ireland LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 World Cup 2026: Rathnayake cleaned up!
Rathnayake cleaned up by Dockrell as he gets his 2nd wicket of the night. SL 68/3 after 10.1 overs
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First Published: Feb 08 2026 | 5:59 PM IST