After posting 163 on the board which was a par score, Sri Lanka had to take early wickets to stem the flow of runs and put the pressure on Ireland who would fancy their chances in the chase. It has been the two spinners who have created the pressure and have kept Sri Lanka in the game. Maheesh Theekshana and then Wanindu Hasaranga also came to the party basically on one leg if we may so say that way.
Chasing 164 for the win, captain Paul Stirling and Ross Adair came out to open for Ireland while Dushmantha Chameera had ball in hand for Sri Lanka. Adair hit a boundary through deep midwicket region. Maheesh Theekshana came into the attack post the powerplay. Adair lofted the ball over extra covers for a boundary off Theekshana. Matheesha Pathirana came onto bowl next and bowled a lot of wides. Stirling managed to get a boundary away through the inner half of the bat to the midwicket region. Ross also got a boundary away to the deep fine leg region.
Maheesh Theekshana removes Paul Stirling.Â
Ireland were 24/0 in 3 overs when Theekshana continued and after bowling a dot ball, he removed the Irish captain for a pain staking 6 off 13 balls with one four to his name. Theekshana bowled a fuller length yorker on the middle stump. Stirling advanced and looked to dig it out but missed and the ball went and cannoned into the middle stump as Theekshana brought out his celebration as well.
Harry Tector came out to bat next and got off the mark as well. Adair got a lifeline as Matheesha Pathirana dropped him at short third man by jumping but could not hold on. Dunith Wellalage came into the attack next. Ross took him on by going down on one knee and swept it over deep midwicket for the maximum. Dushmantha Chameera came to bowl the last over of powerplay as Ross shimmied down and went inside out over covers for a boundary. Adair hammered it again down the ground for a boundary to long-off. Ireland were 45/1 in 6 overs at the end of powerplay.
Wanindu Hasaranga removes Ross Adair on one leg.Â
Dunith Wellalage continued after the powerplay and bowled a quiet over. Wanindu Hasaranga came into the attack next. He hurt his hamstring after bowling two balls and physio came to treat him,. But he continued to bowl with that and then dismissed Ross Adair.
Ireland reached 56/1 in 7.5 overs when Hasaranga removed Ross Adair for 34 off 23 balls with 5 fours and one six to his name. Hasaranga bowled a googly that was full and outside the off-stump that was a tossed up delivery that turned in. Ross Adair cleared his front leg and looked to go big down the ground and got beaten on the inside edge as the ball cannoned onto the off-stump. Lorcan Tucker came out to bat next.
Captain Dasun Shanaka came into the attack next. He bowled a decent first over. Pathirana returned as Tector hot an inside edge to the fine leg fence for a boundary as Ireland went to 72/2 in 10 overs at the halfway stage of the chase.
What Lies Ahead.Â
The match is in the balance as Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker are at the crease. This game can go either ways as Sri Lanka and its bowlers are feeling the pinch with Hasaranga on one leg. This match can go either way as we are set for a thrilling finish. Let’s see how things pan out in the remaining overs.
Also Read:Â ICC T20 WC 2026: Kusal Mendis & Kamindu Mendis Rescues Sri Lanka To Post 163/6