SL Win By 20 Runs | Sri Lanka vs Ireland Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026 Match 6: IRE 143/10 in 19.5 Overs (Target 164)

Sri Lanka Win by 20 Runs! That's it, a fine win for Sri Lanka in the end. Ireland will be gutted with themselves for not capitalising on the momentum. A perfect fightback by Sri Lanka as they open T20 WC 2026 campaign with a win. 

Wickets tumbling here for Ireland. Not able to attack Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. Meanwhile, Hasaranga accounts for Curtis Campher. It is getting worse for Ireland, the equation now read 36 off two overs.

Maheesh Theekshana strikes twice in this over! Things are getting uglier for Ireland. Back to back wickets for Theekshana. Benjamin Calitz and Gareth Delany are back in the hutch. Ireland need 43 runs in 18 balls.

Injured Wanindu Hasaranga picks a wicket! Harry Tector perishes after a good knock, he departs for 40 off 34 balls as things start to get difficult for Ireland as they need 47 runs in 24 balls.

Down to last five overs now and Ireland need more runs to win. Dunith Wellalage accounted for Lorcan Tucker's wicket in the last over and that has put some pressure on Ireland.

Wanindu Hasaranga is back into the attack despite the injury scare. Meanwhile, Ireland need 70 more runs to win in 42 balls and the required run-rate is exactly 10 runs per over. The partnership between Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector is now worth 38 off 30 balls.

Two wickets down for Ireland. Ross Adair was the latest batsman to be dismissed, he was removed by Wanindu Hasaranga. Meanwhile, Hasaranga is injured and looks like he won't be bowling again in this match. 

First wicket down for Ireland. Paul Stirling was struggling and his struggle comes to an end. Maheesh Theekshana has cleaned him up. Ireland captain managed just six runs off 13 balls.

So, Sri Lanka end with a decent total on the board. Kusal Mendis scored 43-ball unbeaten 56 to take his side to 163. He was well accompanied by Kamindu Mendis who scored 44 off 19 balls. Do join us back for Ireland's chase.  

Sri Lanka have started to pick some boundaries now. Ireland fielders spilled a couple of chances and safe to say Sri Lanka have been let off the hook. The partnership between Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis is now worth 39 off 19 balls.

Ireland bowlers, especially spinners are doing a great job to keep Sri Lankan batting silent post Powerplay overs. Dunith Wellalage was last of the Lankan batsman dismissed. 

George Dockrell removes another Sri Lankan batsman. It is Pavan Rathnayake who has to go, he is bowled. Ireland further tighten their grip in this game.

Halfway through and Ireland have managed to put brakes on Sri Lanka's scoring. The latest batsman to be dismissed was Pathum Nissanka. Meanwhile, Pavan Rathnayake and Kusal Mendis are the two Sri Lankan batsmen in the middle.

End of Powerplay overs and Sri Lanka have done well thus far. Ireland will relax a little bit as the field spreads. Important period coming up, Ireland would want to continue run flow while Ireland would love to put brakes on the scoring. 

OUT! Mark Adair strikes for Ireland as Sri Lanka lose first wicket. Soft dismissal this, Kamil Mishara tries to go over mid-off fielder but fails to do so and is caught. K Mishara c McCarthy b Mark Adair 14(11)

Sri Lankan openers have begun well here. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara are batting respectively on 11 and 14.

Sri Lanka will hope Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara provide their side a quick start, which has been the modus operandi for the day. Matthew Humphreys bowled an exceptional first over, giving away 5 runs. 

Ireland Playing XI: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys

Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana

TOSS! Ireland have won the toss, and captain Paul Stirling has decided to bowl first against co-hosts Sri Lanka.