Sri Lanka vs Ireland Prediction: Who Will Win SL vs IRE 6th T20 Match on 8th February 2026?
The Sri Lanka vs Ireland prediction for the 6th T20 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 revolves around form versus familiarity, as the hosts look to reset their campaign against a confident Irish side at the spin-friendly R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo. Sri Lanka enter this match under pressure after a disappointing 3–0 home series loss to England, which exposed several weaknesses in both batting and bowling. However, World Cups are often about quick turnarounds, and facing Ireland—against whom Sri Lanka have a perfect T20I record—offers an opportunity to regain momentum.
Ireland, on the other hand, arrive with quiet confidence. Their recent 2–1 series win over Italy provided valuable match practice, and several Irish batters are in strong form. Harry Tector, in particular, has been outstanding this season, scoring 259 runs in eight matches at an average of 43.5. Ireland’s balanced squad, combining experienced players like Paul Stirling with disciplined bowlers, makes them far more competitive than their underdog tag suggests.
Conditions in Colombo could play a decisive role. The last five T20Is at R. Premadasa Stadium have all been won by the chasing side, underlining the importance of the toss. The surface traditionally offers grip and turn, bringing spinners like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana into the contest, but it also rewards batters who pace their innings well.
While Sri Lanka’s recent form is worrying, their familiarity with home conditions, superior spin resources, and historical dominance over Ireland tilt the balance slightly in their favor. That said, Ireland have the tools to challenge the hosts if they adapt quickly. Below is a detailed breakdown covering previews, fantasy tips, pitch and weather reports, toss prediction, and final match winner for SL vs IRE.
- Sri Lanka look to bounce back after a disappointing home series loss to England, relying on familiarity with Colombo conditions.
- Ireland enter with confidence after a successful warm-up series and strong individual form from Harry Tector.
- R. Premadasa Stadium has favored chasing teams in recent T20Is, making the toss crucial.
- Sri Lanka’s superior spin depth gives them a narrow edge despite Ireland’s growing competitiveness.
Match Details
| Match | Sri Lanka vs Ireland, 6th T20 |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, 8th February 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup |
Team Previews
Sri Lanka Preview
Sri Lanka’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have been far from ideal. A comprehensive 3–0 whitewash at home against England exposed issues in consistency, particularly with their bowling attack and middle-order stability. Despite this, Sri Lanka remain a dangerous side, especially in familiar home conditions where spin often dictates outcomes.
At the top of the order, Pathum Nissanka continues to be a key figure. He was one of the few positives against England, scoring 80 runs across three matches at a strike rate close to 150. Alongside him, Kamil Mishara must provide solid starts to ease pressure on the middle order. The responsibility then shifts to Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka’s most in-form batter. His 95 runs against England at a strike rate of 151 underline his importance in controlling the middle overs.
Charith Asalanka and Pavan Rathnayake offer additional firepower, while captain Dasun Shanaka provides leadership and finishing ability. The batting unit, while talented, must show better cohesion to post or chase competitive totals.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack has variety but needs sharper execution. Dushmantha Chameera has been exceptional, taking 13 wickets in seven matches at an average of 9.66, and will be vital with the new ball. Matheesha Pathirana’s unique action adds a different challenge for batters. Spin remains Sri Lanka’s traditional strength, with Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage forming a formidable trio. Hasaranga’s form, however, is a concern, and his performance could define Sri Lanka’s World Cup fortunes.
Overall, Sri Lanka will rely on home advantage, spin depth, and historical dominance over Ireland to kick-start their campaign.
Ireland Preview
Ireland arrive at the World Cup with a well-balanced squad that blends experience with emerging talent. Their recent 2–1 series win over Italy offered valuable momentum and allowed key players to find form ahead of this crucial clash against Sri Lanka.
Batting is led by Harry Tector, who has been Ireland’s standout performer this season. With 259 runs in eight matches at an average of 43.5, Tector provides both stability and scoring momentum. Ross Adair partners him at the top, while Paul Stirling remains Ireland’s most experienced batter, boasting nearly 4,000 T20I runs. His ability to handle pressure situations makes him central to Ireland’s plans.
Lorcan Tucker adds flexibility in the middle order, supported by George Dockrell and Gareth Delany, both capable of contributing with bat and ball. Ireland’s batting depth has improved significantly in recent years, allowing them to compete even after early setbacks.
Bowling-wise, Mark Adair and Matthew Humphreys form the backbone of Ireland’s attack. Their recent performances against Italy, where they shared 11 wickets, highlight their wicket-taking ability. Barry McCarthy and Craig Young provide pace options, while Delany’s spin could be effective on Colombo’s surface.
Ireland’s challenge will be adapting quickly to subcontinental conditions and handling Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy attack. While history is against them, Ireland have shown they can rise to big occasions. A disciplined bowling performance and a composed batting display could put Sri Lanka under real pressure.
Team Squads
Sri Lanka Squad:
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Perera
Ireland Squad:
Paul Stirling (C), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Ben White
Probable Playing XI
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana
Ireland: Paul Stirling (C), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Ben Calitz, Lorcan Tucker (WK), George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young
Sri Lanka vs Ireland Today’s Dream11/Fantasy Prediction
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Batters | Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Harry Tector, Paul Stirling |
| All-rounders | Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, Gareth Delany |
| Bowlers | Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Mark Adair, Matthew Humphreys |
Fantasy selections should focus on spin-friendly conditions and middle-order batters who handle slower pitches well. Kusal Mendis is a prime pick due to his recent form, while Harry Tector offers consistency for Ireland. Wanindu Hasaranga remains a high-risk, high-reward option given his all-round ability. Chameera’s wicket-taking form makes him essential, and Mark Adair provides value through pace and lower-order contributions.
Captain Choices: Kusal Mendis, Harry Tector
Vice-Captain Choices: Wanindu Hasaranga, Paul Stirling
Players to Avoid: Craig Young, Kamil Mishara (limited fantasy impact expected)
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team in Today’s Match – Sri Lanka (Why?)
Sri Lanka are the favourites for today’s match primarily due to home advantage, spin-friendly conditions, and historical dominance over Ireland in T20 internationals. Playing at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka’s bowling attack is perfectly suited to exploit the slow surface. Spinners like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, supported by pacers Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana, give the hosts a clear edge.
Batting-wise, Sri Lanka possess more experience in subcontinental conditions. Kusal Mendis is in strong form and anchors the middle order well, while Pathum Nissanka provides solid starts. Ireland have improved significantly but still lack consistency against high-quality spin attacks. Sri Lanka’s perfect 3–0 head-to-head T20 record against Ireland further boosts confidence. Despite recent poor form, familiarity with conditions and superior bowling depth make Sri Lanka the safer and stronger pick in this contest.
Sri Lanka T20 History
| Matches | Wins | Losses | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 225 | 101 | 122 | 2 |
Sri Lanka have a long T20 history, traditionally strong at home, relying on spin bowling and adaptable batting to compete effectively in global tournaments.
Ireland T20 History
| Matches | Wins | Losses | No Result | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 185 | 78 | 97 | 9 | 1 |
Ireland are a growing T20 side, improving steadily with competitive associate cricket performances and occasional wins against higher-ranked nations.
Head-to-Head Stats: Sri Lanka vs Ireland
| Matches | Sri Lanka Won | Ireland Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Sri Lanka have dominated the rivalry, winning all three T20I matches against Ireland. Ireland are still searching for their maiden T20 win over the hosts.
Also Check: Ireland vs Sri Lanka Head to Head in T20 – Records, Team & Players Stats
Pitch Report – R. Premadasa Stadium
The pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium is traditionally slow and spin-friendly, offering grip and turn as the match progresses. Batting can be challenging early, but conditions improve under lights, which explains why the last five T20Is here were won by chasing teams. Spinners play a decisive role in the middle overs, while pacers who use cutters and slower balls are effective. A first-innings score of 155–165 is competitive. Teams winning the toss usually prefer bowling first to exploit chasing-friendly conditions later.
Weather Report
| Condition | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 26–29°C |
| Humidity | High |
| Rain Chance | Low |
| Sky | Partly Cloudy |
Colombo will experience warm and humid conditions. While clouds may hover, rain is unlikely to cause interruptions. Overall, conditions are suitable for a full 40-over T20 match.
Broadcast Details
The Sri Lanka vs Ireland 6th T20 will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India. Fans can also stream the match digitally on JioHotstar, which will provide live coverage, commentary, and highlights across multiple devices.
Toss Prediction
The toss is expected to play a major role at R. Premadasa Stadium. Given the strong trend of successful chases here, teams will likely opt to bowl first. Considering recent toss trends and match dynamics, Ireland are slightly favoured to win the toss, but Sri Lanka would be equally comfortable chasing on this surface.
Probable Batsman & Bowler
Probable Batsman:
For Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis is the most dependable batter. His recent form and ability to handle spin make him crucial in the middle overs. For Ireland, Harry Tector stands out as the key batter. His consistency, calm temperament, and adaptability to slower conditions make him Ireland’s biggest run-scoring hope.
Probable Bowler:
Dushmantha Chameera is expected to be Sri Lanka’s strike bowler. His pace, accuracy, and recent wicket-taking form can dismantle Ireland’s top order. From Ireland’s side, Mark Adair is the bowler to watch. His ability to swing the new ball and pick early wickets will be vital if Ireland are to stay competitive.
Match Prediction
Sri Lanka hold the advantage due to home conditions, superior spin resources, and a flawless head-to-head record against Ireland. Ireland are capable of competing but lack consistency against quality spin attacks. If Sri Lanka execute their plans and chase smartly, they should control the game.
Our Prediction: Sri Lanka will win the 6th T20 against Ireland.
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
FAQ – SL vs IRE 6th T20
When is the Sri Lanka vs Ireland 6th T20 match?
The match will be played on Sunday, 8th February 2026.
Where is the match being played?
It will be held at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo.
What time does the match start?
The match begins at 7:00 PM IST.
Who is the favourite team today?
Sri Lanka are favourites due to home advantage and stronger spin bowling.
What is the pitch nature at Premadasa Stadium?
The pitch is slow and spin-friendly, with chasing teams enjoying success.
Who are the key players for Sri Lanka?
Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, and Pathum Nissanka.
Who are the key players for Ireland?
Harry Tector, Paul Stirling, Mark Adair, and Gareth Delany.
What is the head-to-head record between SL and IRE in T20s?
Sri Lanka have won all three T20I matches played against Ireland.
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