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Sri Lanka open their 2026 T20 World Cup This hard-fought 20-game winning streak Ireland In Colombo. After the batting, the hosts recovered from their innings slump to post a competitive 163/6, thanks to a crucial half-century Where is Mendy? and Kamindu Mendis.
Ireland were chasing 104/2, but the introduction of Sri Lanka’s elite spin combination turned the game on its head. Mahesh Tikshana and Wanindu Hasalanga The middle order was dismantled, taking three wickets each, triggering a dramatic collapse. Ireland ended up with 143/9 as the required run rate in the final over was over the target. The win marked a perfect start for the Lions in front of their home fans, taking a crucial two points in Group B.
T20 World Cup 2026: Mendis duo save Sri Lanka after mid-order stutter against Ireland
Sri Lanka started with energy but soon faced resistance from a disciplined Irish bowling attack, Mark Adair and George Dockrell. after losing Camille Misala early, Pathum Nissanka Mendis tried to stabilize the situation but two blows from Dockrell at mid-on left the home team in trouble at 86/4 in the 14th over. Just when the run rate started to stall, Kamindu came on and completely changed the momentum, blasting 44 runs off just 19 balls, including four boundaries and two huge sixes.
His aggressiveness allowed Mendez to become the dominant force at the other end, finishing with an unbeaten 56 off 43 passes to lead the team to a defensive total of 163 points. The final highlight was particularly confusing because Barry McCarthy A record-tying 11 in the 19th over, which featured multiple wickets but also crucial wickets from Kamindu and the captain darsang shanaka. Despite the inconsistency, Sri Lanka’s late surge gave their bowlers the cushion they needed to put pressure on a slow Premadasa surface.
T20 World Cup 2206: Spin twins Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga spark Ireland collapse
Ireland’s original intention to pursue 164 was Ross Adair provides a hot start and a partnership between Harry Turko (40) and Lorcan Tucker (21) puts them in a strong position of 104/2. However, the game took a turn in the 15th over when Hasaranga dismissed Tector, sparking a collapse that saw Ireland lose 7 wickets for just 39 runs. Theekshana was equally lethal, removing Paul Stirling early and then using his trademark mysterious spin to clean up the middle and lower order, finishing with elite figures of 3/23.
Hasaranga’s third wicket, dismissed Curtis Kanfera personal milestone as it marked the 40th wicket of his T20 World Cup career, moving him to second place on the all-time list Shakib Al Hassan. Dushmantha Chameera and Mathisha Patilana Provide rhythm support to ensure that the visiting team does not have a late miracle. When the final over came, the 27-run equation was too big for Dockrell and Adair to counter Pathirana’s accurate yorkers.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Sri Lanka defeated Ireland by 20 runs. Ireland have only themselves to blame for their defeat. In the past four rounds, they performed very poorly and gave up too many freebies, which cost them the game.#T20World Cup #SLvIRE
— Tariq Khan (@_TariqKhan) February 8, 2026
Sri Lanka’s spinners performed well, including the injured Hasaranga.
Wellalage is pretty good too, and Theekshana is the best of them all.
— Behara Qzi 👇 👇 _‑si_ 👇 _ February 8, 2026
This World Cup continues to deliver 😂 Hasaranga takes the wicket with one leg! #T20World Cup
— Eames (@NaeemahBenjamin) February 8, 2026
Thank God Sri Lanka scrapped Dhananjaya de Silva’s plans at the last moment and included Kamindu Mendis in the World Cup squad.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) February 8, 2026
First game, first victory! 🦁🔥
our #T20World Cup The journey started when we beat Ireland by 20 points. Great transition from boy to defenseman! 💪 #sri Lankacricket #SLvIRE pic.twitter.com/opMit2uThM
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 8, 2026
Wanindu Hasaranga took 3 wickets in a single leg. What a great cricket champion he was…
Well done champion 👏👏#SLvIRE #T20World Cup 2026
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) February 8, 2026
Tikshana delivered. special player @officialSLC
— Dominic Machado (@DominicMachado1) February 8, 2026
– 3 wickets by Theekshana.
– 3 wickets for Hasaranga.🚨 Sri Lanka beat Ireland in T20 World Cup 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Iv2AG9mwXJ
——Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 8, 2026
Another small team that phases well but just can’t get along!
I’m restless looking for restlessness!
Ireland vs Sri Lanka felt short!
6 matches in 2 days would be great in the 160-180 era of T20 cricket, not a shit flat track!#T20World Cup 2026 #SLvIRE— baddhakist_thelazygenius (@BaddhakistT) February 8, 2026
Sri Lanka beat Ireland with 20 consecutive wins thanks to a disciplined performance on the field 🌟#cricket #SLvIRE #sri Lankacricket #T20World Cup 2026 pic.twitter.com/eYGvPZazzU
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 8, 2026
Watch also: T20 World Cup 2026: Pavan Rathnayake loses wicket with reckless shot in SL vs IRE match
