Sri Lanka they opened T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 20-run victory over Ireland in Colombo. After being put into bat, both hosts recovered from a slump in the middle innings to post a competitive total of 163/6 thanks to vital half-centuries. Where in Mandy and Kamindu Mendis.
Ireland’s chase looked promising at 104/2, but the introduction of Sri Lanka’s elite spin duo turned the game upside down. Mahesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga He dismantled the middle order, taking three wickets each to trigger a dramatic collapse. Ireland eventually finished on 143/9 as the required run rate proved elusive in the final overs. The win is the perfect start for the Lions in front of their home crowd, securing two vital points in Group B.
T20 World Cup 2026: Mendis duo rescue Sri Lanka after middle-order stutter against Ireland
The Sri Lankan innings started with high energy but quickly faced resistance from Ireland’s disciplined bowling attack. Mark Adair and George Dockrell. After losing Kamil Mishara early, Pathum Nissanka and although Mendis tried to settle down, Dockrell’s double at mid-off left the co-hosts at 86/4 in the 14th over. As the run rate began to stagnate, Kamindu changed gears completely, hitting 44 off just 19 balls, including four boundaries and two big sixes.
His aggressiveness allowed Mendis to anchor the other side, eventually finishing unbeaten on 43 off 56 to guide the team to a defendable 163. The last bloom was especially chaotic because Barry McCarthy He scored a record 19 off 11 balls, with plenty of wides on it as well as the key wickets of Kamindu and the captain. Dasun Shanaka. Despite the inconsistencies, Sri Lanka’s late surge provided the bowlers with the cushion they needed to put pressure on a slowing Premadasa surface.
T20 World Cup 2206: Spin twins Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga lead to Ireland’s collapse
Ireland’s chase started with the intention of 164 Ross Adair provided a fiery start between Harry Tector (40) and Lorcan Tucker (21) put them in a position of strength at 104/2. However, the game turned after Hasaranga dismissed Tector in the 15th over, leaving Ireland to lose seven wickets for just 39 runs. Theekshana was equally lethal, finishing with elite figures of 3/23, removing Paul Stirling early before returning to clear the lower middle order with his trademark mystery.
Conceding the third wicket to Hasaranga Curtis CamphorIt was a personal milestone as he marked his 40th career in T20 World Cups, taking him second on the all-time list. Shakib Al Hasan. Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana provided speed support to ensure no delayed order miracle for visitors. By the time the final was over, the 27-run equation was too much for Dockrell and Adair to contend with against Pathirana’s pinpoint yorkers.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 20 runs. Ireland have only themselves to blame for this defeat; they have been very poor in the field in the last four games and have given away too many, which has cost them the game.#T20 world cup #SLVIRE
— Tariq Khan (@_TariqKhan) February 8, 2026
An elite performance from the Sri Lankan spinners, including the injured Hasaranga.
Wellalage was also pretty good and Theekshana was the pick of all.
— Behara Gzi 👇 👇 _‑si_ 👇 _ February 8, 2026
This World Cup continues 😂 Hasaranga takes a wicket using one leg! #T20WorldCup
— Eems (@NaeemahBenjamin) February 8, 2026
Thank God at the last minute, Sri Lanka scrapped their Dhananjaya de Silva plans and picked Kamindu Mendis for the World Cup squad.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) February 8, 2026
First game, first WIN! 🦁🔥
Ours #T20WorldCup The journey starts with a bang as we beat Ireland by 20 runs. Great pass from the lads to defend the total! 💪 #SriLankaCricket #SLVIRE pic.twitter.com/opMit2uThM
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 8, 2026
Wanindu Hasaranga took 3 wickets on one leg. What a champion cricketer he is..
Great champion 👏👏#SLVIRE #T20WorldCup2026
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) February 8, 2026
Delivers to Theekshan. Special player for @OfficialSLC
— Dominic Machado (@DominicMachado1) February 8, 2026
– 3 doors for Theekshana.
– 3 wickets for Hasaranga.🚨 SRI LANKA DEFEAT IRELAND IN T20 WORLD CUP 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Iv2AG9mwXJ
– Jones. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 8, 2026
Another small team who are good at stages but can’t get along!!
I’m sad looking to be upset!!
Ireland felt weak against Srilanka!
All 6 matches in 2 days were good with 160-180 T20 Cricket innings, no straight tracks!#T20WorldCup2026 #SLVIRE— baddhakist_thelazygenius (@BaddhakistT) February 8, 2026
Sri Lanka secured a 20-run win over Ireland after a disciplined fielding performance 🌟#cricket #SLVIRE #SriLankaCricket #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/eYGvPZazzU
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 8, 2026
Also WATCH: T20 World Cup 2026: Pavan Rathnayake takes wicket during SL vs IRE clash
