Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis played a crucial innings, scoring an unbeaten 56 off 43 balls, as Sri Lanka set a competitive total of 163/6 against Ireland in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Despite a shaky start, with Sri Lanka at 87/4 after 14 overs, a partnership between Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis, who scored 44 off 19 balls, boosted the hosts past 160. The late surge by the duo changed the game for Sri Lanka, with a rapid 60-run flourish in the final four overs.
Sri Lanka’s innings saw a slow phase between overs 7-15, where boundaries were scarce, before a strong finish with 68 runs in the last five overs. The team found momentum with Kusal anchoring the innings and Kamindu injecting energy into the late overs. Ireland’s spinners initially contained Sri Lanka, but the hosts’ aggressive batting towards the end shifted the balance in their favor.
The match began with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara providing a solid start for Sri Lanka, hitting early boundaries. However, Ireland’s spinners tightened the game in the middle overs, restricting Sri Lanka’s scoring opportunities. Despite the challenges, Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis’ partnership turned the tide with aggressive stroke play, propelling Sri Lanka to a respectable total.
