SL vs IRE T20 World Cup Highlights: Theekshana, Hasaranga ensure Sri Lanka see off spirited Ireland in opener

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Maheesh Theekshana picked up two wickets off two balls in the 17th over changing the game for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Highlights: Maheesh Theekshana followed with a double strike and Ireland's chase fell apart after that. They kept losing wickets towards the end of the innings, failing to add any sort of momentum in the closing period. In the end, Ireland were bundled out for 143, as Sri Lanka won their tournament opener by 20 runs.

The fall of Adair did not influence Tector. He kept his cool and batted with composure taking Ireland closer to the target. Lorcan Tucker played a great supporting role forming a solid partnership with Tector. The duo changed the momentum of the game and were taking it away from Sri Lanka, when Wellalage picked up the wicket of Tucker giving the home team the opportunity to comeback. The wicket of Tector soon followed, and it was Hasaranga who provided the breakthrough. That wicket once again tilted the balance in Sri Lanka's favour.

Harry Tector joined Ross Adair in the middle after the departure of Paul Stirling. The duo stabilised the innings after the early loss of a key wicket. Wanindu Hasaranga came into the attack and immediately ended up pulling his hamstring. However, that did not stop him from picking up a wicket. He picked up the much needed wicket of Adair and broke the partnership between Tector and Adair.

In the chase of 164, Ireland made a steady start. Paul Stirling and Ross Adair ensured that Ireland remained without loss in the first three overs. However, immediately in the next over, Maheesh Theekshana got rid-off Paul Stirling and provided Sri Lanka the first break through.

While Kusal Mendis held on one end, Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at the other side. Ireland put Sri Lanka's back to the walls as the home team was left reeling at 87/4 in the 14th over. Kamindu Mendis walked in after this and his presence shifted the momentum of the game. He showed the intent and accelerated the scoring rate propelling the team total over 150. Kusal Mendis batted till the end and remained unbeaten on 56 off 43 deliveries. Sri Lanka finished their innings with 163/6 on the board.

Kusal Mendis joined Nissanka in the middle after the fall of Mishara. The two right-handed batters ensured that Sri Lanka steered through the powerplay without further loss. The partnership was taking things forward steadily and was starting to look dangerous. However, it was George Dockrell who ended the partnership and created the window of opportunity to bring Ireland back into the game. The off spinner followed it up with the wicket of Rathnayake in the next over, exerting further pressure on Sri Lanka.

Ireland won the toss and invited Sri Lanka to bat first. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara looked steady at the beginning, but then found their rhythm getting the team off to a brisk start. However, Mark Adair managed to pick up the wicket of Mishara in the fourth over giving Sri Lanka the first shock of the night.

Tonight’s sixth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 puts Sri Lanka and Ireland in a straight-up early statement game at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. For the hosts, it’s about setting a tone at home: start crisp, squeeze with spin, and avoid the kind of sloppy chase that turns a group-stage night into a week-long headache. For Ireland, it’s the opposite mission — hang around, keep the scoreboard moving, and wait for one chaotic over to flip the script.

These are the games that look routine on the schedule and then quietly decide who spends the next ten days doing calculator math. Conditions here typically reward discipline more than drama: hard lengths, smart match-ups, and the courage to take singles when the boundary isn’t gifting itself. Watch how Sri Lanka manage the middle overs with their spinners, and how Ireland pace the powerplay without spending all their intent in five minutes.

Playing XIs -

Sri Lanka playing XI

Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana

Ireland playing XI

Paul Stirling (C), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys

Squads:

Sri Lanka Squad

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Pramod Madushan

Ireland Squad

Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young