Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: Sri Lanka beat Ireland by 20 runs

What's up on Monday? 2 days done, 6 matches up. We could have had as many as 6 upsets. That's right. Nearly every match could have had a different script. Sunday started off with New Zealand beating Afghanistan by 5 wickets, chasing down 183, followed by the England-Nepal clash where the Nepalese nearly pulled off a stunning chase of 185, before Ireland messed up in their clash with the Lankans. But a pattern seems to be emerging - the 'minnows' or the lower-ranked teams seem to be struggling to wrap up games and that's where they are getting hurt. From that point of view, Monday, 9th February, 2026 does not have the firepower of teams playing as compared to the weekend. It is still a triple-header day, with newcomers Italy meeting Scotland at 5.30 am GMT at the Eden Gardens, followed by the Oman-Zimbabwe clash at 9.30 am GMT in Colombo (at a different venue, SSC) and then finally, rounding off with South Africa taking on Canada at 1.30 pm GMT in Ahmedabad. There might not be players with big names but with how the World Cup has started off so far, don't be surprised if we see something new in the making. The timings mentioned are the ones when the first ball will be bowled but our buildup will begin well in advance. So do tune in early. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Learn from mistakes - So Sri Lanka get away with a win and have 3 days to analyze Wanindu Hasaranga's injury. They play Oman next, on Thursday, 12th February, 2026 in Pallekele, but if truth be told, they might rest him for that clash to make him fit and available for the match against Australia on 16th February, 2026. As far as Ireland are concerned, they meet Australia next, on Wednesday, 11th February, 2026. That match is at this same venue, so they will certainly have a better knowledge of the conditions as compared to the Aussies. Mind you, Australia's only warm-up game was washed out in Colombo. The Irish will hope to do better in that match and more importantly, finish the job.

An all-round performance - That is what DASUN SHANAKA, the victorious skipper of Sri Lanka, feels it was, from the Lankan side in this match, citing that he is really happy. Adds that the hosts didn't start off well with the bat but Kusal Mendis held up one end well and the cameo from Kamindu Mendis was like he was batting on a different wicket. Feels that he initially thought the wicket would be a bit flatter but it did help them as well as it slowed down in the second innings. Mentions that the confidence in the bowling unit carries on from the previous match and hopes that Wanindu Hasaranga's hamstring is fine.

Gave away 15-20 too many - That's what the captain of Ireland, PAUL STIRLING, replies, on being asked to sum up the match. Adds that at the start of the day, Ireland would have been happy to chase down somewhere around 160. He adds that the momentum shift at the back end of the first innings hurt his side badly. On being asked as to where did the game change, Paul replies that when the match was on the line, his side wasn't as clinical as it wanted to be. But stresses that they have got a couple of days to reflect and come back stronger and sharper. Believes that the Irish had the Lankan team on the mat in both innings but those 20 runs in the end was the key. On being further asked as to what hurt Ireland more - the runs leaked in the last 4 overs with the ball or the dropped catches, PS feels that it was a bit of everything. Explains that when you will sit back and analyze, you will end up picking those 20 runs from anywhere. Admits that his side has got plenty of things to work on. On his assessment of his batters against spin in this match, Paul Stirling feels that spin is going to be a challenge in this competition. Details that the ball was not coming onto the bat and it looks like spin will play a big role in the games to come.

Player Of The Match -  For his quickfire 44 (19), Sri Lanka's KAMINDU MENDIS has been adjudged the Player Of The Match. Kamindu says that when he came out to bat, he wanted to keep the momentum up and build a good partnership with Kusal Mendis. Adds that Ireland played well till the 15-16th over but the bowlers came back strongly, used the change of pace and kept them under 150. Kamindu Mendis feels that it was a 170-wicket but after playing the spinners for a while, adds that he and Kusal knew that 160 could be a defendable total. Ends by saying that the spirits are good in the camp and they are looking forward to the rest of the tournament.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Lucky escape or a champion display? Depends on how you see a glass with water filled upto half level. Half full, or half empty? Clearly, this was not the best match for the Lankans by any means but the key thing was they found a way to fight. For some reason, they stopped showing intent with the bat post the 6th over but then played tremendously in the last 4 overs. With the ball, they were searching for that third breakthrough and once they got it, they just ran through the opposition. Sure, they can consider themselves lucky that Ireland dropped so many catches, but all these are a part and parcel of the game. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

Positives for Ireland - They did well for nearly 70 percent of both innings on an average. The bowlers set things up nicely, and then, the batters laid the platform decently. George Dockrell was outstanding, with bowling figures of 2/17 in 4 overs, while with the bat, Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector impressed everyone with their running. However, Ireland's inability to close things out in both innings hurt them. But they will take confidence from this display for the matches to come.

A game of missed opportunities - Ireland had their chances. And a lot of them. First, with the ball. They had the Lankans on the mat at 104/4 after 16 overs. Suddenly, catches started getting dropped left, right and centre. Then, with the bat, they had created a wonderful platform - 105/2, needing 59 runs from 35 balls. But then, they just started losing wickets left, right and centre.

A win is a win - That's what the Lankans would say. This is a World Cup and every opposition can be dangerous. They will introspect of course, be it their shoddy batting or indisciplined bowling in the first half of both innings. However, the Lankans will revel on the fact that with their backs against the wall, they found heroes across both innings - the two Mendises with the bat and Wanindu Hasaranga with one leg. Of course, Theekshana bowled well too.

Nervy victory! Relief for Sri Lanka. They are not looking overly pleased or even happy and in fact, this seems like a normal day at work where things could have gone really out of hand. With due respect to Ireland, they played out of their skins with both bat and ball but a critic will feel that they have let things slip by here.

Matheesha Pathirana to Matthew Humphreys, OUT! BOWLED! Bull's eye from Pathirana. He keeps it straight, on a length, outside off, getting it to angle in. Humphreys swings hard but misses. The ball cannons into the off stump and SRI LANKA WIN BY 20 RUNS!

Matheesha Pathirana to Matthew Humphreys, A slower ball, on a length, outside off, Matthew Humphreys swings hard and gets a bottom edge. It goes on the bounce to the keeper.

Number 11 does come out to bat then. Matthew Humphreys would not have expected that in the 15th over.

Matheesha Pathirana to George Dockrell, OUT! CAUGHT! Timed well by George Dockrell but just not well enough. Matheesha Pathirana takes pace off and bowls it wide outside off. Dockrell hangs deep in the crease and reaches out to slash it over cover-point. Dockrell ends up hitting it straight down the throat of Kamindu Mendis at sweeper cover and he makes no mistake. Ireland are now 9 down for 143.

Matheesha Pathirana to George Dockrell, FOUR! Oh, that's gone past everyone. Full length and around off, Dockrell hits it straight back. The fielder at mid off is a bit sluggish and the ball goes past him and again, it is Kamil Mishara at long on who runs to his left. He puts in the dive but this time, the ball wins the race.

Matheesha Pathirana to George Dockrell, A yorker, aimed in at the toes but angling down leg. Dockrell backs away and jams it out through in front of square leg for a couple of runs.

The final over then. Ireland need 27 runs. By the way, the wicket of Curtis Campher picked up by Wanindu Hasaranga was his 40th in T20 World Cups, second only to Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, who has scalped 50. Barry McCarthy walks in next, at number 10, replacing Mark Adair. Matheesha Pathirana will close things out. 2-0-20-0 so far.

Dushmantha Chameera to Mark Adair, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one falls. Slower ball, back of a length, outside off. Adair looked to hammer it over cover but mistimed it totally. Dasun Shanaka got across to his left from long off and got to the ball pretty easily. Adair departs for 10 (6) and from 105/2, Ireland are now 137/8! Equation - 27 runs, 6 balls.

Dushmantha Chameera to Mark Adair, FOUR! That's nicely done! A full toss, outside off, Mark Adair gets across and stylishly laps it over short fine leg for a boundary. 27 more needed from 7 balls.

Dushmantha Chameera to Mark Adair, Full and straight, Adair hammers it straight back. The bowler leaps to his right and gets a hand to it, deflecting the ball towards mid on. However, by the time he can go back to collect the ball, the batters return for the second.

Dushmantha Chameera to Mark Adair, Gets it over the infield, does Mark Adair. A bit slower and back of a length, Adair forces the lofted shot over covers and picks up a couple of runs.

Dushmantha Chameera to George Dockrell, In the air but will fall safely. On a hard length, angled in from around off and middle. Dockrell stays leg side of the ball and shanks the lofted shot over mid off for a single. 35 needed off 10 balls.

Dushmantha Chameera to George Dockrell, Slower one, pitched up in the channel around off. George Dockrell stays put and swipes across the line but is well beaten.

Into the final 2 overs of the innings. Dushmantha Chameera is back on. 2-0-16-0 so far.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Mark Adair, Dropped short, outside off, Adair rocks back and slaps it wide of long off, to his left, for a couple. A wicket and 7 runs from the over, Wanindu Hasaranga finishes with bowling figures of 4-0-25-3!

Wanindu Hasaranga to Mark Adair, Landed around middle and leg, Mark Adair goes back to punch but gets a bottom edge, which just goes past the leg stump, towards short fine leg!

Very pear-shaped has this innings gone now. With the net run rate in question, Ireland should aim to play out 20 overs and get as close to 150 as possible, to reduce the defeat margin. Mark Adair walks in next, at number 9, replacing Curtis Campher.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Curtis Campher, OUT! CAUGHT! And the one-legged warrior gets his third! Tossed up, outside off, Curtis Campher comes down the track and looks to go over the top. Is barely to the pitch of the ball and only hits it straight to long off, where Dasun Shanaka makes no mistake. Campher departs for 13 (11) and from 105/2, Ireland are now 126/7! Equation - 38 runs, 14 balls.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Curtis Campher, Nicely fielded again. Tossed up outside off, it is the leg break. Curtis Campher gets across, sits down and slogs it against the turn. The square boundary on the leg side is a big one and he gets it to the right of deep mid-wicket. Pavan Rathnayake smartly runs around and palms the ball in. Just another brace.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Curtis Campher, Brilliant fielding in the deep. Dragged length on middle, turning away. Campher rocks back and flat-bats it down the ground. Kamil Mishara sprints to his left again from long on and puts in a valiant dive to cut it off. Two taken.

Wanindu Hasaranga to George Dockrell, Tossed up on off, dipping late. George Dockrell backs away and slogs it off the inner half of the blade towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Interesting. After 17 overs, Ireland are 121/6. At the same stage, Sri Lanka were 125/4! But we all know what happened next.

Maheesh Theekshana to Curtis Campher, A dot ball to finish a wonderful over and outing. Full, around off, Campher pushes it back to the bowler who leaps to stop. 2 wickets and 4 runs from the over and Maheesh Theekshana ends his match with bowling figures of 4-0-23-3!

Maheesh Theekshana to George Dockrell, A short ball, at the stumps, George Dockrell backs away to the leg side and punches it towards mid off.

Hat-trick time! Who is out to face the music? George Dockrell it is, at number 8, replacing Gareth Delany.

Maheesh Theekshana to Gareth Delany, OUT! CAUGHT! For the second time in this match, a bowler is on the cusp of a hattrick. A quicker short ball, around off, Gareth Delany looks to pull but only manages a top edge as the ball skids through. It is in the air around short third and Dushmantha Chameera makes no mistake. Quick in and out for Delany.

The wheels are coming off the chase now. Gareth Delany walks in next, at number 7, replacing Ben Calitz.

Maheesh Theekshana to Ben Calitz, OUT! STUMPED! Ben Calitz looked like a prime candidate for a stumping or bowled and he has to walk back here. Smartly bowled by Maheesh Theekshana as he sees the batter advancing down the track and slows it up nicely. This is bowled on a dragged length as well and drifts away from middle and leg. Calitz goes through with the shot and misses it completely. The ball just beats the off stump and Kusal Mendis is lightning quick to complete the stumping with Calitz well out of his crease. Ireland are now 120/5.

Maheesh Theekshana to Ben Calitz, Dragged down on middle and leg, Ben Calitz makes room leg side and hammers it back down the ground. Kamil Mishara at long off, covers a fair bit of ground to his left and slides to save a couple of runs for his side.

Maheesh Theekshana to Curtis Campher, Shorter in length, angled into the batter. Campher stays deep in the crease and swats it across to deep square leg for a single.

Change of pace? Not quite. Maheesh Theekshana will bowl out. 3-0-19-1 so far.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Curtis Campher, Short, outside off, Campher cuts it to deep point for another single. A wicket and just 4 runs from the over, Hasaranga's bowling figures read 3-0-18-2!

Wanindu Hasaranga to Ben Calitz, The wrong 'un, outside off, Calitz drags it to long on for one.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Curtis Campher, Very full, around off, Campher comes down the track and drags it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Curtis Campher, Full, outside off, Curtis Campher gets down to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads.

Tremors in the Irish camp. Two new batters in the middle. Ben Calitz walks in at number 6, replacing Harry Tector.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Ben Calitz, Full, around off, Ben Calitz sweeps it through mid-wicket for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Harry Tector, OUT! CAUGHT! Hasaranga, the one-legged warrior is more dangerous than a fully fit Wanindu! Just like that, both set batters are back in the pavillion. Tossed up, outside off, Harry Tector gets down and sweeps it uppishly towards deep mid-wicket. He is unable to find enough power and instead finds Pavan Rathnayake well inside the ropes, who makes no mistake. Hasaranga gets his second as Tector departs for 40 (34). From 105/2, Ireland are now 113/4! Equation - 51 runs, 29 balls.

Will Theekshana bowl out? Not quite. Wanindu Hasaranga, the warrior, soldiers on. 2-0-14-1 so far.