Ireland collapse in T20 World Cup loss to co-hosts Sri Lanka

Colombo, Sri Lanka – Ireland’s opening assignment at the Men’s T20 World Cup ended in a 20-run defeat to co-hosts Sri Lanka at a vibrant R. Premadasa Stadium, a setback that captain Paul Stirling admitted was self-inflicted through missed chances and a late-innings stumble.

Having called correctly at the toss and inserted Sri Lanka on a sluggish surface, Ireland’s new-ball squeeze appeared to be working when George Dockrell struck twice in his first two overs to leave the hosts 71-3 after 11 overs. The advantage evaporated in a dramatic 17th over that cost 21 runs and featured three dropped chances off the bowling of left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys, allowing Kusal Mendis to escape and rebuild.

Mendis rode his luck and then seized the initiative, crunching five fours in an unbeaten 56 from 43 balls. Kamindu Mendis provided the late acceleration, thumping 44 off 19 deliveries before becoming the first of two wickets in two balls for Barry McCarthy, who also removed Dasun Shanaka for a golden duck in the penultimate over. McCarthy’s double strike restricted Sri Lanka to 163-6, a total Stirling later labelled “15 to 20 too many.”

Ireland’s chase began poorly when Stirling was bowled by mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana for six in the fourth over. Ross Adair’s counter-attacking 34 steadied the innings, and by the halfway mark Ireland had inched to 72-2, with Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector compiling a measured stand that left 60 required off the final six overs.

The equation tightened to 44 from 24 balls when Tucker holed out for 21, triggering a collapse. Theekshana returned to prise out Ben Calitz and Gareth Delany in successive deliveries, while Wanindu Hasaranga’s googly proved equally lethal as Ireland lost eight wickets for 38 runs. Tector top-scored with 40, but the tail failed to negotiate the last-ball pressure, the innings closing on 143 all out with a solitary delivery unused.

Stirling was candid in his assessment. “When the match was on the line, we were not as clinical as we wanted to be and a bit sloppy in the field,” he said. “Experience told today at the end of both innings, and it was the difference.”

The result leaves Ireland seeking an immediate response when they face Australia on Wednesday, while Sri Lanka head to Pallekele to meet Oman on Thursday buoyed by a winning start.

Every match of the tournament is being shown live on Sky Sports.