The SL vs IRE T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights will be remembered for a sensational middle-order rescue and a clinical exhibition of subcontinental spin. In their Group B opener at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka survived a disciplined Irish bowling attack to defend a total of 163. While Kusal Mendis provided the stability with an unbeaten 56, the real momentum shift occurred through Kamindu Mendis’ explosive 44 off 19 balls. Despite a spirited chase from Ireland’s Harry Tector and Ross Adair, the “Spin Twin” duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana dismantled the Irish middle order, ensuring the co-hosts started their campaign with two vital points and a dominant Net Run Rate.
Match Summary: Sri Lanka's Tactical Edge at Premadasa
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 - Match 6 - Sri Lanka vs Ireland
Group B • R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Sri Lanka secured a hard-fought 20-run victory, but the SL vs IRE T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights reveal how close the contest truly was. After winning the toss and batting, Sri Lanka struggled against George Dockrell’s (2/17) left-arm spin, enduring a nearly 10-over boundary drought. However, a late-innings surge propelled them to 163/6. Ireland’s reply started strongly, reaching 105/2 in the 14th over, but the pressure of a climbing required rate forced errors. Hasaranga’s milestone-breaking three-wicket haul triggered a collapse, as Ireland were bundled out for 143 in 19.5 overs.
Playing XI
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana.
Ireland
Paul Stirling (C), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys.
Key Stats & Records From Today's Match:
40 Wickets: Wanindu Hasaranga is now the 2nd highest wicket-taker in T20 WC history.
57 Balls: The longest boundary drought for a winning team in T20 WC history (SRI vs IRE).
183/6: Ireland’s highest-ever innings total against Sri Lanka in T20Is.
163: The highest successful defense at R. Premadasa in the 2026 season so far.
Innings Breakdown
First Innings: Dockrell’s Squeeze and the Mendis Surge
The initial phase of the SL vs IRE T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights showcased Ireland’s tactical discipline. George Dockrell strangled the Lankan top order, leading a spell where Sri Lanka went 57 balls without a single boundary. At 86/4, a sub-140 score looked inevitable. However, Kamindu Mendis transformed the game in the 17th over, smashing 21 runs off Matthew Humphreys. Kamindu’s 44-run cameo, combined with Kusal Mendis’ anchor role (56*), added 67 runs in the final five overs, shifting the target from “competitive” to “daunting.”
Second Innings: Hasaranga’s Magic in SL vs IRE T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights
Ireland’s chase was anchored by Harry Tector (40) and Ross Adair (34), who looked comfortable against the pace of Pathirana early on. The turning point in the SL vs IRE T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights came in the 15th over when Wanindu Hasaranga removed Tector with a perfectly disguised googly. This sparked a dramatic collapse where Ireland lost their final 8 wickets for just 38 runs. Maheesh Theekshana (3/23) was equally lethal, cleaning up the Irish lower order as the visitors failed to handle the extra grip offered by the Colombo surface.
Top Performers
Kamindu Mendis (44 off 19 Balls) - Player of the Match
Undoubtedly the game-changer, Kamindu’s strike rate of 231.57 on a “sticky” wicket was the differentiator. He successfully targeted the short leg-side boundary, hitting four boundaries and two sixes to break Ireland’s momentum.
Kusal Mendis (56 off 43 Balls)
While Kamindu provided the fire, Kusal provided the insurance. His ability to bat through the innings ensured Sri Lanka didn’t collapse during the difficult middle overs, allowing the power-hitters to play freely at the death.
Wanindu Hasaranga (3/25 & Milestone Man)
Hasaranga reached the historic milestone of 40 T20 World Cup wickets, becoming the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history. His three-wicket burst in the second half of the innings was the final nail in Ireland’s coffin.
What This Result Means for Group B
Sri Lanka moves to the top of Group B with a Net Run Rate of +1.000, significantly boosting their chances for a Super 8 spot. For Ireland, this loss is a massive blow; they now face a “must-win” situation against Australia on Wednesday. The result proves that while Ireland’s batting has evolved, their vulnerability against elite-level subcontinental spin remains their primary hurdle in this tournament.
T20 World Cup 2026 Group C Points Table
The landscape of Group B has shifted dramatically after the opening encounter in Colombo. Co-hosts Sri Lanka have claimed the pole position with a convincing 20-run victory, banking 2 points and establishing a healthy Net Run Rate of +1.000. While Ireland pushed the former champions for 16 overs, their late-innings collapse has left them at the bottom of the table with an NRR of -1.000.
With heavyweights Australia yet to begin their campaign, the pressure is now on the associate nations, Oman and Zimbabwe, to secure early wins to avoid falling behind the NRR curve. Below is the updated Group B Points Table, reflecting the latest results from the R. Premadasa Stadium.
With Associate nations like Nepal proving they can go toe-to-toe with the world champions, every run scored and every wicket taken is now a critical factor in the Net Run Rate (NRR) battle. Below is the latest Group C Points Table, updated in real-time to show where each team stands in their quest for World Cup glory.
Group B Points Table
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