Spin bowlers Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga each took three wickets, helping Sri Lanka secure a 20-run victory over Ireland in a Group B encounter at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Sri Lanka, after a shaky start at 87/4, posted a competitive total of 163/6, boosted by Kamindu Mendis’s quick 44 and Kusal Mendis’s unbeaten 56. In response, Ireland, despite a promising position at 105/2, faltered and were all out for 143 in 19.5 overs.
Theekshana claimed 3-23 in his four overs, while Hasaranga, battling a hamstring issue, took 3-25, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka’s victory. Although it was not a dominant performance, Sri Lanka earned two vital points, strengthening their position in Group B of the tournament.
In pursuit of 164, Ireland’s skipper Paul Stirling was dismissed early by Theekshana for six runs. Ross Adair fought back with a quick 34 off 23 balls, but Hasaranga, despite his injury concerns, removed him with a deceptive delivery. Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker then stabilized Ireland’s chase with a 49-run partnership off 38 balls.
However, the dismissals of Tucker for 21 by Wellalage and Tector for 40 by Hasaranga in successive overs shifted the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favor. Ireland’s middle order crumbled under pressure, with Theekshana and Hasaranga claiming more wickets. Sri Lanka’s bowlers Chameera and Pathirana wrapped up the tail as Ireland fell short, getting bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs.
