Ireland’s experienced pacer Barry McCarthy created one of the most unusual moments in T20 World Cup history in Colombo on Sunday, February 8. This was supposed to be a normal 19th innings for Sri Lanka in the 2026 T20 World Cup group stage, but it turned out to be a strange and dramatic innings that shocked the Irish players, fans and even Barry McCarthy himself.

Barry McCarthy’s chaotic performance during Sri Lanka’s match against Ireland at T20 World Cup 2026

The match started amid chaos at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. McCarthy’s first delivery was a high full toss that went over the shoulder of Sri Lanka batsman Kamindu Mendis. The referee ruled that there was no ball. To make matters worse, the ball went past Ireland’s wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker and rolled past the boundary for four.

Also read: Team India prepares for T20 World Cup 2026 at Gautam Gambhir’s house, watch video

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Since it was a no-ball, Sri Lanka scored a total of five runs without a legitimate ball being bowled. Well, this was just the beginning of the chaos in Colombo. McCarthy then bowled two wide balls in succession to provide Sri Lanka with the extra points. Mendis then hit a free hit for a huge six, meaning Sri Lanka had scored 15 runs with just one legal delivery from McCarthy.

McCarthy counters with two quick wickets

Mendis then scored two more runs off the next ball. The Irish pacers again bowled a boundary and then the Sri Lankan pacers added two more runs before being caught by George Dockrell on the next delivery. Mendis scored 44 runs in just 19 balls in the innings.

McCarthy struck again in his next speech, and the drama continued. In the penultimate legal ball, he dismissed Sri Lanka captain Dasan Shanaka for a duck. But the Irish bowlers then bowled one more ball, culminating in a dot ball to Wanindu Hasaranga.

Also read: Wanindu Hasaranga becomes Sri Lanka’s highest scorer in T20 World Cup

Barry McCarthy sets unexpected record at T20 World Cup

By the end of this memorable game, McCarthy had thrown a total of 11 pitches. He conceded 19 runs but took two wickets in two consecutive overs. The combination of wickets, no-balls, sixes and wickets made this one of the most extraordinary games in the history of the T20 World Cup.

It is the joint-longest match in T20 World Cup history and fans can’t stop talking about it. McCarthy’s spending did not help Ireland as they fell behind by just 20 runs against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Group B match of the 2025 T20 World Cup.

Here’s how fans reacted to the chaos in Colombo:

Academy Alert 🚨
Irish Barry McCarthy throws out a
Over 11 balls but two wickets in the middle 💔 pic.twitter.com/LncGhkbQjD

— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) February 8, 2026

Barry McCarthy sure made a killing tonight. Unreal Repair via @cricketireland #SLvIRE

— VIPER (@KillerViperr) February 8, 2026

Watching the Irish cricket team for the first time in years because I’m tired of watching pampered fat boys being absolute shit and how in God’s name is Barry McCarthy still bowling for them? #T20World Cup

— Ger (@GerOnSport) February 8, 2026

Barry McCarthy sure made a killing tonight. Unreal Repair via @cricketireland #SLvIRE

— VIPER (@KillerViperr) February 8, 2026

Why on earth did Paul Sterling think it was a good idea to bring Barry McCarthy back with Turk still having 3 rounds left? #ICCT20World Cup

—Dalyn Preston (@DalynP31) February 8, 2026

Barry McCarthy scores 19th as Ireland v Sri Lanka 😭🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/vr17WwkwBK

— Comment dimension February 8, 2026

Barry McCarthy was Sri Lanka’s best player today and his ability with the ball on the pitch was absolutely terrifying. You can’t carry players in T20 cricket, simple as that! He will definitely not be able to play in the next game! #SRI #T20World Cup 2026

— G Dog (@GHL72) February 8, 2026

Barry McCarthy just finished a marathon.

First ball – no ball +4
Second ball – wide
third ball sideline
Fourth ball -6
Fifth ball -2
Sixth ball sideline
Ball No. 7-2
Ball No. 8 – Wicket
Ball 9 – wicket
Ball No. 10 went wide
Ball No. 11-0#T20World Cup pic.twitter.com/C7xg5iACKE

– Mr. Father 🏏 (@cricdrugs) February 8, 2026

Barry McCarthy is not the death bowler you want in ant T20 games. Regardless of the two wickets, it was a mess and he single-handedly handed the game to Sri Lanka! #SRI #T20World Cup 2026

— G Dog (@GHL72) February 8, 2026