Sri Lanka vs Ireland Scorecard: Sri Lanka kick-started their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 journey with a confident win over Ireland, registering a 20-run victory in Match 6 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Defending a total of 163, the Sri Lankan bowling attack delivered a disciplined performance to bowl Ireland out for 143 in 19.5 overs.
The Sri lanka vs ireland scorecard underlines how Sri Lanka controlled the contest after the midway point of Ireland’s chase, using spin and smart variations to dismantle the Irish batting order.
Match Summary: Sri Lanka vs Ireland – T20 World Cup 2026
| Match | Sri Lanka vs Ireland |
|---|---|
| Competition | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match No. | 6 |
| Date | 08 February 2026 |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Toss | Ireland won, chose to field |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 20 runs |
This encounter marked Sri Lanka’s first match of the tournament, while Ireland were hoping to build early momentum against the co-hosts.
Pre-Match Build-Up
Sri Lanka entered the World Cup under pressure after a disappointing 0–3 loss against England in their preparatory series. The former champions had struggled for consistency in recent months, particularly in balancing their batting and bowling performances.
Placed in a competitive group featuring Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman, Sri Lanka knew that early victories were crucial to stay on course for qualification.
Ireland, meanwhile, arrived with confidence after recent bilateral series wins against UAE and Italy. Known for their ability to surprise stronger teams, the Irish side were eager to test Sri Lanka in familiar subcontinental conditions.
Sri Lanka Batting: Solid Total on a Slowing Surface
After Ireland opted to bowl first, Sri Lanka posted 163 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was built around steady partnerships rather than aggressive hitting, as the pitch offered grip and slowed down as the game progressed.
Sri Lanka focused on strike rotation during the middle overs and managed to add valuable runs at the death, ensuring a competitive target for their bowlers to defend.
Sri Lanka Innings Score Summary
| Team | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 20.0 | 163 | 6 |
While the total was not massive, it proved sufficient given the disciplined bowling effort that followed.
Ireland Chase: Strong Start, Fading Finish
Ireland’s chase began positively, with early boundaries helping them keep up with the required rate. At one stage, Ireland were well placed at 104 for 2 in 14 overs, appearing to be in control of the chase.
However, the match turned sharply as Sri Lanka’s spinners struck in quick succession. The loss of key wickets in the middle overs triggered a collapse from which Ireland never recovered.
Sri Lanka vs Ireland Scorecard: Ireland Batting
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | How Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Stirling | 6 | 13 | 1 | 0 | b Theekshana |
| Ross Adair | 34 | 23 | 5 | 1 | b Hasaranga |
| Harry Tector | 40 | 34 | 1 | 0 | c Rathnayake b Hasaranga |
| Lorcan Tucker | 21 | 18 | 2 | 0 | c Mishara b Wellalage |
| Curtis Campher | 13 | 11 | 1 | 0 | c Shanaka b Hasaranga |
| Ben Calitz | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | st Mendis b Theekshana |
| Gareth Delany | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | c Chameera b Theekshana |
| George Dockrell | 9 | 7 | 1 | 0 | c K. Mendis b Pathirana |
| Mark Adair | 10 | 6 | 1 | 0 | c Shanaka b Chameera |
| Barry McCarthy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | not out |
| Matthew Humphreys | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | b Pathirana |
| Total | 143 | 19.5 overs | – | – | All out |
Harry Tector top-scored for Ireland, but his knock lacked support at the other end as wickets fell rapidly.
Fall of Wickets – Ireland Innings
| Wicket No. | Score | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 | 3.2 |
| 2 | 56 | 8.0 |
| 3 | 105 | 14.2 |
| 4 | 113 | 15.1 |
| 5 | 120 | 16.3 |
| 6 | 120 | 16.4 |
| 7 | 126 | 17.4 |
| 8 | 137 | 19.0 |
| 9 | 143 | 19.3 |
| 10 | 143 | 19.5 |
Ireland lost eight wickets for just 38 runs after looking comfortable at the halfway stage of the chase.
Sri Lanka Bowling Performance: Spin Does the Damage
Sri Lanka’s bowlers executed their plans with precision, particularly through the middle overs where the game was won. The spin trio proved difficult to score against, forcing Ireland into risky shots.
Sri Lanka Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4.0 | 23 | 3 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 4.0 | 25 | 3 |
| Matheesha Pathirana | 2.5 | 26 | 2 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 4.0 | 28 | 1 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 3.0 | 25 | 1 |
| Dasun Shanaka | 2.0 | 12 | 0 |
Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were the standout performers, sharing six wickets between them and completely stalling Ireland’s momentum.
Key Moment of the Match
The turning point arrived in the 15th over when Sri Lanka removed two set batters in quick succession. With Harry Tector and Curtis Campher dismissed within a short span, the pressure mounted on Ireland’s lower order, and the required run rate rose sharply.
From there on, Sri Lanka maintained control and closed out the match comfortably.
Match Officials
| Role | Officials |
|---|---|
| On-field Umpires | Ahsan Raza, Asif Yaqoob |
| Third Umpire | Richard Kettleborough |
What This Win Means for Sri Lanka
This victory gives Sri Lanka a crucial early boost in a competitive group. After recent struggles, the team will be encouraged by the collective bowling effort and their ability to defend a moderate total under pressure.
The balance between spin and pace also worked well, something Sri Lanka will look to build on as the tournament progresses.
Ireland’s Takeaways From the Match
Despite the loss, Ireland showed glimpses of their potential, particularly during the first half of the chase. However, the inability to handle sustained pressure and finish the innings proved costly.
Ireland will need more composure in the middle overs if they are to challenge stronger teams in upcoming matches.
Sri Lanka vs Ireland Scorecard: Final Result
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 163/6 (20 overs) |
| Ireland | 143 all out (19.5 overs) |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 20 runs |
Conclusion
The Sri lanka vs ireland scorecard from Colombo highlights a match where Sri Lanka’s experience and bowling discipline made the difference. Ireland fought hard but faltered when it mattered most, allowing the hosts to start their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on a winning note.
As the tournament unfolds, both teams will look to learn from this encounter and refine their strategies for the challenges ahead.