Sri Lanka secured a 20-run victory over Ireland at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, successfully defending 163/6 in a match dominated by spinners. The hosts struggled initially against Ireland’s spin attack, failing to score a single boundary between overs 7-15 as George Dockrell (2/17) and Gareth Delany (1/24) applied immense pressure.
However, a stunning turnaround in the death overs saw Sri Lanka plunder 68 runs in the final five overs, with Kamindu Mendis’ explosive 44 off 19 balls transforming the innings. Ireland’s chase began positively with Ross Adair’s aggressive 34 off 23 balls, but collapsed from 105/2 as Wanindu Hasaranga (3/25) battled through injury to deliver a match-winning spell.
Maheesh Theekshana (3/23) provided excellent support, and despite a valiant 56 from Kusal Mendis-assisted captain, Ireland fell agonizingly short at 143 all out in 19.5 overs. The match featured a record-equalling 25 overs of spin bowling, highlighting the conditions perfectly suited to Sri Lanka’s strengths on home soil.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Date | Sunday, February 8, 2026 |
| Match | 6th Match, Group B |
| Toss | Ireland won and elected to field |
| Man of the Match | Kamindu Mendis (SL) |
| Sri Lanka | 163/6 (20 overs) |
| Ireland | 143 (19.5 overs) |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 20 runs |
1st Innings Highlights – Sri Lanka: 163/6 (20 overs)
Sri Lanka posted 163/6 on a slow, turning Colombo surface after winning the toss and choosing to bat. The hosts made a strong start, reaching 50/1 in the powerplay with Pathum Nissanka (24 off 23) and Kamil Mishara (14 off 11) providing momentum before Mark Adair removed Mishara.
However, Ireland’s spinners completely strangled the innings through the middle overs. In a remarkable period of control, Sri Lanka failed to hit a single boundary between overs 7-15, managing just 45 runs for three wickets as Dockrell, Delany, and Harry Tector tightened the screws.
At 95/4 after 15 overs, Sri Lanka looked destined for a below-par total. But Kamindu Mendis changed the game with a breathtaking assault in the death overs. His unbeaten 44 off just 19 balls featured 4 fours and 2 sixes, including a devastating 16th over off Matthew Humphreys that went for 21 runs.
Ireland’s fielding fell apart under pressure, with multiple dropped catches costing them dearly. Kusal Mendis (56 off 43) survived several chances to anchor the innings, while a chaotic 19th over from Barry McCarthy yielded 19 runs including a no-ball and multiple wides. The final five overs produced 68 runs, completely transforming Sri Lanka’s position and giving them crucial late momentum.
1st Innings Best Performers
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Kusal Mendis – 56 (43 balls, 5 fours) |
| Best Bowler | George Dockrell – 2/17 (4 overs) |
2nd Innings Highlights – Ireland: 143 (19.5 overs)
Ireland’s chase of 164 began promisingly as Ross Adair launched an aggressive counter-attack. He smashed 34 off 23 balls with 5 fours and 1 six, taking on Sri Lanka’s pacers fearlessly. Paul Stirling (6 off 13) struggled at the other end before Maheesh Theekshana castled him with a pinpoint yorker in the 4th over.
Harry Tector joined Adair and together they steadied the innings, but Wanindu Hasaranga broke through despite clearly battling a hamstring injury that prevented him from completing his bowling action properly.
The match turned dramatically when the set batsmen departed in quick succession. Hasaranga dismissed Adair for 34 with a well-disguised googly, then removed Tector (40 off 34) just as he was accelerating. From a comfortable 105/2, Ireland suddenly found themselves under pressure at 117/4.
Theekshana struck twice in the 17th over, including a smart stumping of Benjamin Calitz, before trapping Gareth Delany next ball to leave Ireland reeling at 121/6.
Despite brave lower-order resistance from Mark Adair (10 off 6) and George Dockrell (9 off 7), the target proved too steep. Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana mopped up the tail with pace and precision. Pathirana finished the match with a 150kph delivery that cleaned up Matthew Humphreys, sealing a 20-run victory for the hosts.
Hasaranga’s heroic effort through injury to complete 4 overs and take 3/25 proved decisive, showcasing the champion spinner’s determination for his country.
2nd Innings Best Performers
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Harry Tector – 40 (34 balls, 1 four) |
| Best Bowler | Wanindu Hasaranga – 3/25 (4 overs) |
