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COLOMBO: Kusal Mendis half-century backed by a clinical bowling effort helped Sri Lanka beat sloppy Ireland by 20 runs in the fifth fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Chasing 164, Ireland were bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs.
Ireland openers added 24 in 3.2 overs as Sri Lanka struck to remove experienced Paul Stirling for six.
After the opening wicket, Harry Tector and Ross Adair put the chase back on track with a 32-run partnership.
The scorecard read 56 in eight overs when set batter Adair (34) departed as Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector combined to steady the innings with a 49-run partnership.
The pair did well to keep Sri Lanka’s bowlers at bay as the scorecard read 105 in 14.2 overs.
Just when Ireland were looking to turn things around, Sri Lanka made a strong comeback as the Irish batters holed out to the outfield at regular intervals.
Eventually, they were bowled out before completing their 20 overs.
Harry Tector remained the top-scorer with 40 from 34 balls, hitting only one boundary.
For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga shared six wickets between them.
Earlier, put into bat first, Sri Lanka managed to post 163-6 at the end of 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s openers added 28 in 4 overs before Kamil Mishara (14) holed out to mid-off, resulting in a cheap dismissal.
Following the wicket, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis stitched a cautious 34-run stand to steady the innings.
Ireland’s bowlers kept it tight, not allowing the set batters to capitalize. The disciplined bowling reaped rewards as Sri Lanka lost two batters in quick succession.
Pathum Nissanka was the first to go after managing 24 from 23, whereas Pavan Rathnayake added only five before getting cleaned up.
As a result, Sri Lanka were reduced to 68-3 in 10.1 overs. The Irish bowlers continued to squeeze Sri Lanka despite a brief partnership of 18 between Dunith Wellalage and Kusal Mendis.
The scorecard read 86 in 13.5 overs when Wellalage, who made 10, was sent back to the pavilion.
Ireland managed well to control the first half of the innings, but a vital 67-run partnership between Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis and some dropped chances from them put the Islanders in a dominant position.
The pair took the total over 150 run mark with Kusal remaining unbeaten on 56 from 43 balls with the help of five fours. On the other hand, Kamindu played a brisk cameo, scoring 44 off just 19, striking two sixes and four boundaries.
For Ireland, George Dockrell and Barry McCarthy took two wickets each.
Playing XIs
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana.
Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy and Matthew Humphreys.
READ: Paul Stirling joins Rohit Sharma in elite T20 World Cup list
