Spin Choke! Sri Lanka Start Campaign With Dominant Victory Over Ireland
- Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 20 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
- Kamindu Mendis smashed a game-changing 44 off 19 balls, rescuing Sri Lanka from trouble.
- Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana picked three wickets each to choke Ireland’s chase.
- Ireland were bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs, falling short of Sri Lanka’s 163/6.
Sri Lanka kicked off their Group B campaign in style with a solid 20-run victory over Ireland at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Sunday. In a contest that swung momentum multiple times, it was Kamindu Mendis’ explosive cameo and a disciplined spin effort from Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana that ultimately sealed the game for the hosts.
After Ireland won the toss and opted to bowl first under overcast conditions, Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a shaky start. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara struggled to settle on a surface that offered pace and bounce but demanded patience. Nissanka’s 24 off 23 balls and Mishara’s brisk 14 off 11 showed intent, but both failed to convert starts, leaving Sri Lanka in early trouble.
The middle order didn’t fare much better initially. With wickets falling at regular intervals, Sri Lanka found themselves reeling at 86/4, and Ireland sensed an opportunity to restrict the hosts to a below-par total. However, Kusal Mendis held his nerve brilliantly. Starting cautiously, the wicketkeeper-batter gradually upped the tempo, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 56 off 43 balls.
The turning point of the match arrived when Kamindu Mendis walked in. Displaying fearless intent, Kamindu counter-attacked the Irish bowlers, smashing 44 off just 19 deliveries, including four boundaries and two towering sixes. His 67-run partnership with Kusal Mendis completely shifted the momentum, propelling Sri Lanka to a competitive 163/6 by the end of their 20 overs.
In reply, Ireland’s chase got off to a poor start as captain Paul Stirling was dismissed early, putting pressure on the middle order. Ross Adair attempted to keep Ireland in the hunt with a lively 34 off 23 balls, playing some eye-catching strokes. However, his dismissal at the hands of Wanindu Hasaranga proved to be a decisive blow.
Harry Tector then took responsibility, compiling a steady 40 off 34 balls, while Lorcan Tucker chipped in with 21. For a brief period, Ireland looked capable of pulling off the chase, especially when the required run rate hovered within reach.
But Sri Lanka’s spinners tightened the screws. Hasaranga and Theekshana operated in tandem, exploiting the slowing surface with clever variations and accuracy. Wickets fell in quick succession, triggering a collapse that Ireland could not recover from. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs, handing Sri Lanka a comfortable 20-run win.
The victory underlined Sri Lanka’s growing confidence in spin-friendly conditions and highlighted their depth in both batting and bowling. Kamindu Mendis’ finishing ability and the spin duo’s control will be major positives as the tournament progresses.
