The Mendises get Sri Lanka off to confident start in T20 World Cup 2026

Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis impressed with the bat before Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana’s incisive spin bowling powered Sri Lanka to a 20-run win over Ireland in their T20 World Cup clash in Colombo on Sunday.

Kusal scored a gritty 56 not out off 43 balls, while Kamindu provided the late impetus with a 44 off 19 deliveries, as Sri Lanka recovered from a sluggish start to post a fighting 163 for six.

In reply, leg-spinner Hasaranga (3/25) and Theekshana (3/23) bowled with superb control, as Ireland was dismissed for 143 in 19.5 overs.

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Earlier, Ireland’s bowlers, led by George Dockrell (2/17), kept a tight grip on the innings, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 68 for 3 by the 11th over.

But Kusal played a determined innings, grinding out a crucial half-century in testing conditions to give Sri Lanka a competitive base, before Kamindu provided the late flourish, smashing four boundaries and two sixes to add respectability to the total.

Published on Feb 08, 2026