Wanduunt Hannunang, cenerbra, cellelbra ignoring (AP Photo/Less Jayardena). Sri Lanka started their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign on a confident note as they beat Ireland by 20 runs in the opener on Sunday, thanks to an unbeaten half-century from Kamindu Mendis and a clinical display from their spinners. Asked to bat first, the hosts were soon rattled when Mark Adair removed Kamil Mishara for a six in the fourth over. Despite the early setback, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis saw to it that Sri Lanka finished the powerplay on a solid footing and took the score to 50 with a mix of caution and timely aggression.
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The partnership added 34 for the second wicket before George Dockrell broke through in the ninth over to dismiss Nissanko for 24 off 23 balls. Dockrell struck again soon after, sending Pavan Rathnayake back for 5, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 68 for three after 11 overs. Ireland tightened the screws through the middle stages, drying up the boundaries and forcing Sri Lanka to crawl to 95 for four in the 15th over. The dynamic then changed dramatically. Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis struck with a vital 67-run stand that revived the innings. Kamindu changed the face of the match with a lightning burst, smashing 44 off just 19 balls before settling in for a mature unbeaten 56 off 43 deliveries. His knock guided Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 163. In response, Ireland soon lost captain Paul Stirling, who was trapped by Maheesh Theekshana in the fourth over. Ross Adair showed intent but was bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga for 34, while a promising stand between Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker briefly kept Ireland in the hunt. The Sri Lankan spinners then took control. Hasaranga removed Tector for 40 and Dunith Wellalage accounted for Tucker, triggering the collapse. Theekshana struck twice late on to seal the match as Ireland were bowled out for 143. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga took three wickets each, underscoring Sri Lanka’s all-round dominance.
