Sri Lanka opened their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 20-run victory over Ireland in Colombo. After being put in to bat, the co-hosts recovered from a mid-innings slump to post a competitive 163/6, thanks to vital half-centuries from Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis.
Ireland’s chase looked promising at 104/2, but the introduction of Sri Lanka’s elite spin duo turned the game on its head. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga dismantled the middle order, taking three wickets apiece to trigger a dramatic collapse. Ireland eventually finished on 143/9 as the required run rate climbed out of reach in the final overs. This win marks a perfect start for the Lions in front of their home crowd, securing two crucial points in Group B.
T20 World Cup 2026: Mendis duo rescues Sri Lanka after middle-order stutter against Ireland
The Sri Lankan innings began with high energy but quickly faced resistance from a disciplined Irish bowling attack led by Mark Adair and George Dockrell. After losing Kamil Mishara early, Pathum Nissanka and Mendis attempted to stabilize, yet Dockrell’s double strike in the middle overs left the co-hosts reeling at 86/4 by the 14th over. Just as the run rate began to stagnate, Kamindu entered and completely shifted the momentum with a blistering 44 off just 19 balls, including four boundaries and two massive sixes.
His aggression allowed Mendis to anchor the other end, eventually finishing unbeaten on 56 off 43 deliveries to guide the team to a defendable total of 163. The final flourish was particularly chaotic, as Barry McCarthy bowled a record-tying 11-ball 19th over that featured multiple wides but also the key wickets of Kamindu and captain Dasun Shanaka. Despite the inconsistencies, Sri Lanka’s late-over surge provided their bowlers with the cushion needed to apply pressure on a slowing Premadasa surface.
Also WATCH: T20 World Cup 2026: Maheesh Theekshana castles Paul Stirling with deadly yorker; unleashes iconic ‘archer’ celebration during SL vs IRE clash
T20 World Cup 2206: Spin twins Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga trigger Ireland collapse
Ireland’s pursuit of 164 started with intent as Ross Adair provided a fiery start, and the partnership between Harry Tector (40) and Lorcan Tucker (21) placed them in a position of strength at 104/2. However, the game transformed in the 15th over when Hasaranga removed Tector, sparking a collapse that saw Ireland lose seven wickets for just 39 runs. Theekshana was equally lethal, removing Paul Stirling early before returning to clean up the lower middle order with his trademark mystery spin, finishing with elite figures of 3/23.
Hasaranga’s third wicket, dismissing Curtis Campher, was a personal milestone as it marked his 40th career wicket in T20 World Cups, moving him to second on the all-time list behind Shakib Al Hasan. Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana provided the pace support to ensure there was no late-order miracle for the visitors. By the time the final over arrived, the equation of 27 runs was too much for Dockrell and Adair to handle against Pathirana’s pinpoint yorkers.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 20 runs. Ireland have only themselves to blame for this defeat; they were very poor in the field during the last four overs and gave away too many freebies, which cost them the game.#T20worldcup #SLvIRE
— Tariq Khan (@_TariqKhan) February 8, 2026
Elite performance by Sri Lanka’s spinners, including an injured Hasaranga.
Wellalage was pretty good too, and Theekshana was the pick of them all.
— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) February 8, 2026
This World Cup keeps delivering 😂 Hasaranga gets a wicket using one leg! #T20WorldCup
— Eems (@NaeemahBenjamin) February 8, 2026
Thank God in the last minute Sri Lanka ditched Dhananjaya de Silva plans and drafted in Kamindu Mendis to the World Cup squad.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) February 8, 2026
First game, first WIN! 🦁🔥
Our #T20WorldCup journey starts with a bang as we defeat Ireland by 20 runs. Great shift from the boys to defend the total! 💪 #SriLankaCricket #SLvIRE pic.twitter.com/opMit2uThM
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 8, 2026
Wanindu Hasaranga on one leg, picked up 3 wickets. What a champion cricketer he is..
Well done champ 👏👏#SLvIRE #T20WorldCup2026
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) February 8, 2026
Theekshana delivers. Special player for @OfficialSLC
— Dominic Machado (@DominicMachado1) February 8, 2026
– 3 wickets for Theekshana.
– 3 wickets for Hasaranga.
🚨 SRI LANKA DEFEATED IRELAND IN T20 WORLD CUP 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Iv2AG9mwXJ
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 8, 2026
Another small team that was good in phases but couldn’t get along!!
I am upset being Looking for upset!!
Ireland felt short against Srilanka!!
All of 6 matches of 2 days were good with 160-180 era of T20 Cricket rather than bullshit flat tracks!!#T20WorldCup2026 #SLvIRE
— baddhakist_thelazygenius (@BaddhakistT) February 8, 2026
Sri Lanka secures a 20-run victory over Ireland after a disciplined performance in the field 🌟#Cricket #SLvIRE #SriLankaCricket #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/eYGvPZazzU
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 8, 2026
Also WATCH: T20 World Cup 2026: Pavan Rathnayake throws away wicket with reckless shot during SL vs IRE clash
