Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka commended his team’s bowling strength and the resilience displayed by Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis in their 20-run win against Ireland in the Group B opener at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Sri Lanka, batting first, struggled initially at 87/4 but Kamindu Mendis’s quick 44 off 19 balls and Kusal Mendis’s unbeaten 56 off 43 helped them reach 163/6.
Ireland, chasing 164, seemed in a good position at 105/2, but quick dismissals of Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker led to their downfall, getting bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga took 3-23 and 3-25 respectively.
Shanaka expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, especially highlighting Kusal Mendis’s crucial innings and Kamindu Mendis’s impactful cameo. He also praised the bowling unit’s confidence, with concerns over Wanindu’s hamstring injury.
Kamindu, named Player of the Match, aimed to set a score around 160 and credited the bowlers for defending it successfully. He acknowledged the contributions of Maheesh and Chameera in restricting Ireland and emphasized the team’s good start to the tournament.
