✅ Match Score:
Sri Lanka: 172/6 (20 overs)
Ireland: 152/9 (20 overs)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 20 runs
Sri Lanka defeated Ireland by 20 runs in an exciting T20 World Cup match. It was a strong performance from the Sri Lankan team, who showed excellent batting and bowling to secure a comfortable victory.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka chose to bat first. The decision worked well as their top order gave the team a solid start. Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis played a key role in the innings. He scored a smart and controlled fifty, hitting boundaries at the right time and keeping the scoreboard moving. His knock helped Sri Lanka build momentum in the middle overs.
Apart from Mendis, the middle-order batters also contributed valuable runs. They rotated the strike well and added quick runs in the final overs. Ireland’s bowlers tried to slow down the scoring, but Sri Lanka still managed to post a competitive total of 172 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs.
Chasing 173 was never going to be easy for Ireland. The Sri Lankan bowlers started strongly and did not allow the Irish batters to settle. Early wickets put Ireland under pressure, and the required run rate kept increasing.
The spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana proved to be the difference in the match. Both bowlers picked up three wickets each, breaking important partnerships and stopping Ireland from getting close to the target. Their accurate bowling and clever variations made scoring difficult.
Ireland showed some fighting spirit, with a few batters attempting to chase the total. However, regular wickets hurt their chances. Without any big partnership, Ireland finished at 152 for 9 in their 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s fielding was another highlight of the match. The players were energetic on the field, saved crucial runs, and took important catches.
This victory gives Sri Lanka a strong start in the T20 World Cup and will boost their confidence for the upcoming matches. For Ireland, the team will need to improve both batting and bowling if they want better results in the tournament.
Overall, it was a complete team performance from Sri Lanka, led by Kusal Mendis’ batting and supported by match-winning spells from Hasaranga and Theekshana.
✅ Key Points:
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Kusal Mendis scored a brilliant half-century.
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Hasaranga and Theekshana took 3 wickets each.
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Sri Lanka defended the target with disciplined bowling.
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Ireland struggled to build partnerships.
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Sri Lanka earned important points in the tournament.
