The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group B action heats up as Sri Lanka faces Ireland at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This clash pits the tournament co-hosts against a spirited Irish side looking to cause an upset on foreign soil.
Sri Lanka, led by Dasun Shanaka, enters as heavy favorites playing at home with a squad featuring world-class spinners like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. Ireland, under Paul Stirling’s captaincy, brings fighting spirit and the ability to surprise bigger teams on their day.
Scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM local time, this encounter promises excitement as Ireland seeks its first-ever victory against Sri Lanka in T20Is. The Premadasa Stadium’s spin-friendly conditions should favor the hosts, but Ireland’s determined approach could make this contest closer than expected.
SL vs IRE Match Betting Odds
With Sri Lanka playing at home and boasting superior recent form, bookmakers have installed them as clear favorites. However, Ireland’s ability to upset top teams makes it an intriguing betting option with higher returns.
| Platform | SL Win Odds | IRE Win Odds | SL Toss Odds | IRE Toss Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.35 | 3.75 | 1.90 | 1.90 |
| Stake | 1.33 | 3.85 | 1.88 | 1.92 |
| 4RABET | 1.37 | 3.65 | 1.91 | 1.89 |
| BetVibe | 1.34 | 3.80 | 1.89 | 1.91 |
SL vs IRE Match Details – T20 World Cup 2026
Key information for the Sri Lanka vs Ireland Group B encounter:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | SL vs IRE, 6th Match, Group B |
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | Saturday, February 08, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM LOCAL / 1:30 PM GMT |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Capacity | 35,000 |
| Home Team | Sri Lanka National Team |
Pitch Report Of R. Premadasa Stadium
The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo offers conditions that typically favor the home team:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | A slow surface that assists spin bowling, especially in the second innings |
| Batting Assistance | Good for batting early on, but it becomes challenging as the match progresses |
| Bowling Assistance | Spinners dominate, particularly in middle and death overs |
| Ground Dimensions | Large boundaries make big hitting difficult, rewarding placement over power |
| Average Score | 1st innings: 165, 2nd innings: 148 |
| Toss & Dew Factor | Batting first is generally preferred, though dew can assist chasing teams |
The pitch characteristics heavily favor teams with quality spin bowling. Sri Lanka’s arsenal of world-class spinners gives them a significant home advantage. Teams batting first typically set targets around 160-170, which proves competitive on this surface.
Live Weather Updates For Colombo
Perfect weather conditions are forecast for the match, with minimal chances of interruption.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 28°C (82°F) |
| Weather | Partly cloudy |
| Precipitation | 10% chance of rain |
| Humidity | 75% |
| Wind | 15 km/h |
Sri Lanka vs Ireland Playing XI & Squads
Complete squad lists for both teams competing in this Group B fixture:
Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Kusal Perera (wk), Pramod Madushan, Pavan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage.
Ireland Squad: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben White, Craig Young.
Head-to-Head Record: Sri Lanka vs Ireland In T20Is
Sri Lanka holds a perfect record against Ireland in T20 internationals, having won all three previous encounters.
| Total Matches Played | Sri Lanka Won | Ireland Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Historical Context
Sri Lanka has dominated this matchup completely, winning all three encounters convincingly. Ireland has never managed to defeat the Islanders in T20I cricket. However, past records count for little in World Cup pressure situations, and Ireland will be desperate to break this drought on the biggest stage.
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Key Players to Watch – SL vs IRE T20 World Cup Match
Players who could determine the outcome of this crucial Group B encounter:
| Player Name | Team | Stats & Recent Form |
|---|---|---|
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Sri Lanka | World’s 6th ranked T20I bowler; 36 LBW wickets in T20Is; match-winner with ball and bat |
| Pathum Nissanka | Sri Lanka | Consistent top-order batter; averages 28.50 in T20Is; key to setting strong platforms |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Sri Lanka | Rising fast bowling star; deadly yorkers in death overs; economy rate under 8 |
| Paul Stirling | Ireland | Ireland’s captain and leading run-scorer; explosive opener with 3,600+ T20I runs |
| Mark Adair | Ireland | Ireland’s premier pace all-rounder; crucial wicket-taker and lower-order hitter |
| Josh Little | Ireland | Left-arm pace bowler; 90+ T20I wickets; ability to strike early and at death |
