Colombo, Feb 8 (NationPress) The spin duo of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga each claimed three wickets, leading Sri Lanka to a 20-run victory over Ireland in a Group B match of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup held at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.

Batting first, Sri Lanka found themselves in a precarious position at 87/4, having gone through the middle overs without hitting a boundary. However, Kamindu Mendis ignited the innings with a quickfire 44 off just 19 balls, complemented by Kusal Mendis’s unbeaten 56 off 43, helping the team to a competitive total of 163/6.

In pursuit of 164, Ireland appeared to be on track at 105/2, with Harry Tector poised for a big finish alongside a struggling Lorcan Tucker. Unfortunately, both players fell quickly, leading to a collapse as Ireland was eventually bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs. Theekshana's impressive figures of 3-23 in four overs and Hasaranga's 3-25, despite hamstring issues, sealed the win for Sri Lanka. Though not entirely convincing, the victory secured two vital points for the team early in Group B.

During the chase, skipper Paul Stirling narrowly escaped an early dismissal but was eventually bowled by Theekshana for six in the fourth over. Ross Adair attempted to counterattack, scoring 34 off 23 balls before Hasaranga dismissed him with a googly in the eighth over. Tector and Tucker managed to stabilize the innings with a 49-run partnership off 38 balls.

However, the quick dismissals of Tucker for 21 by Wellalage and Tector for 40 by Hasaranga shifted the momentum. Ireland's middle order faltered under pressure, with Benjamin Calitz and Gareth Delany falling cheaply to Theekshana, and Curtis Campher was quickly sent back by Hasaranga. Chameera and Pathirana finished off the innings as Ireland was bowled out.

Initially, batting first, Sri Lanka looked at risk of a low score until Kusal and Kamindu formed a crucial 67-run partnership off 29 balls, propelling the hosts past 160. Their late onslaught turned the tide after a difficult middle-over phase where Ireland’s spinners restricted runs.

The final stages saw Sri Lanka scoring 60 runs in the last four overs, with Kamindu capitalizing on dropped catches and erratic bowling from Ireland. Matthew Humphreys and Barry McCarthy conceded 21 and 19 runs, respectively, as Ireland lost control in the closing overs.

Sri Lanka's innings progression was telling: 50/1 in the powerplay, a mere 45 runs between overs 7-15 without a boundary, followed by a stunning finish of 68 runs in the final five overs. Kusal anchored the innings while Kamindu provided the momentum shift.

The opening pair of Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara gave a solid start, hitting three boundaries before Mishara was caught in the fourth over. Nissanka looked promising, hitting a six off Humphreys but fell to George Dockrell after scoring 24.

The middle overs were dominated by Ireland’s spinners who maintained tight lengths and gained assistance from the pitch. They continued to break through as Dockrell dismissed Pavan Rathnayake while Gareth Delany had Dunith Wellalage caught out.

From 95/4, Mendis steadied the innings until Kamindu joined him, finally breaking a 57-ball boundary drought with a reverse sweep for four. Their counterattack left Ireland scrambling as runs flowed rapidly, and chances were squandered. Despite both Kamindu and skipper Dasun Shanaka falling quickly, Kusal secured his fifty, helping Sri Lanka reach a respectable total.

Final scores: Sri Lanka 163/6 in 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 56 not out, Kamindu Mendis 44; George Dockrell 2-17, Barry McCarthy 2-40) defeated Ireland 143 all out in 19.5 overs (Harry Tector 40, Ross Adair 34; Maheesh Theekshana 3-23, Wanindu Hasaranga 3-25) by 20 runs.