Sri Lanka began their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign with a solid 20-run victory over Ireland in the group stage opener in Colombo on Sunday, riding on a composed unbeaten half-century from Kamindu Mendis and a strong spin bowling performance led by Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Batting first, Sri Lanka recovered from an early setback to post a competitive total of 163. The hosts lost their first wicket in the fourth over when Mark Adair dismissed Kamil Mishara for six. However, Pathum Nissanka and wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis steadied the innings and guided Sri Lanka to 50 runs by the end of the powerplay.

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The pair added 34 runs for the second wicket before George Dockrell provided Ireland with a breakthrough by dismissing Nissanka for 24 off 23 balls in the ninth over. Dockrell struck again soon after, removing Pavan Rathnayake for five, leaving Sri Lanka in a difficult position at 68 for 3 after 11 overs.

Ireland continued to apply pressure through disciplined bowling, keeping boundaries in check as Sri Lanka crawled to 95 for 4 by the 15th over. The momentum then shifted decisively as Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis put together a vital 67-run partnership that lifted the scoring rate in the latter stages.

Kamindu Mendis played a key role in the late surge, smashing 44 runs off just 19 deliveries. His composed unbeaten knock of 56 off 43 balls, supported by Kusal Mendis, guided Sri Lanka to a challenging total of 163.

Chasing 164, Ireland suffered an early blow when captain Paul Stirling was dismissed for six off 13 balls by Maheesh Theekshana in the fourth over. Ireland reached 45 for 1 at the end of the powerplay but lost momentum when Wanindu Hasaranga bowled Ross Adair for 34 off 23 balls at the end of the eighth over.

Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker then tried to rebuild the chase, adding 49 runs for the third wicket after Ireland lost both openers for 56. However, Sri Lanka’s spinners turned the game back in their favour during the middle overs.

Hasaranga broke the partnership by dismissing Tector for 40 off 34 balls, and Dunith Wellalage followed it up by removing Tucker for 21 off 18. Ireland slipped to 113 for 4 after 15 overs, with the required run rate climbing steadily.

Theekshana then struck twice in quick succession, effectively sealing the contest for the co-hosts. Ireland were eventually bowled out for 143, falling short by 20 runs. Sri Lanka’s bowling effort was shared among Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dunith Wellalage, as the hosts made a confident start to their T20 World Cup campaign.

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