Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Ireland  National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: Co-hosts Sri Lanka began their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a 20-run win over Ireland at R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 163 for 6, with Kusal Mendis unbeaten on 56 off 33 balls and Kamindu Mendis hitting a rapid 44 off 19. The innings was steady at first but slowed in the middle overs as Ireland’s spinners kept the run rate in check. Sri Lanka failed to hit a boundary between the 7th and 15th overs and were 86 for 4 in the 14th over.

Kamindu Mendis then accelerated the scoring with four fours and two sixes before falling short of a half-century, while Kusal Mendis anchored the innings and reached his 39-ball fifty in the final over. The 56 not out marked Mendis’ 18th T20I half-century and his third in a T20 World Cup. He now has 354 runs in 12 T20 World Cup matches at a strike rate of 133.08.

Ireland made a steady start in the chase, scoring 45 runs in the Powerplay with skipper Paul Stirling dismissed early. A 49-run partnership between Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker kept Ireland in contention at 105 for 2.

Sri Lanka’s spinners then took control. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana shared six wickets, triggering a collapse that saw Ireland lose eight for 38. Dunith Wellalage also contributed with a key wicket as Ireland were bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs.

Sri Lanka’s Barry McCarthy endured a record 11-ball 19th over, conceding several wides while dismissing Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka was out for a duck, giving him a record 16 ducks in T20I cricket, the most in the format.

Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Ireland  National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: Sri Lanka 163/6 in 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 56*, Kamindu Mendis 44; George Dockrell 2-20) defeated Ireland 143 in 19.5 overs (Harry Tector 40; Wanindu Hasaranga 3-25, Maheesh Theekshana 3-23) by 20 runs.