COLOMBO: A composed innings from Kusal Mendis steered Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 163/6 from their 20 overs against Ireland in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka started cautiously, with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara laying a steady platform in the early overs. Their opening stand of 28 runs ended on the final ball of the fourth over when George Dockrell dismissed Mishara, who made 14 off 11 deliveries, including two boundaries.
Kusal Mendis then joined Nissanka at the crease and the pair rebuilt the innings with a measured 34-run partnership, taking the hosts beyond the 50-run mark. The stand was broken by Mark Adair, who removed Nissanka for 24 off 23 balls, which included a four and a six, leaving Sri Lanka on 62/2 in 8.2 overs.
Kamindu Mendis
Sri Lanka continued to lose wickets at as Dockrell struck again, bowling Pavan Rathnayake for five off nine balls. Gareth Delany added to the pressure by dismissing Dunith Wellalage for 10 from 13 deliveries, reducing the hosts to 86/4 in 13.5 overs.
Kusal Mendis then found valuable support from Kamindu Mendis, and the duo mounted a strong recovery to lift the total past 100. Their vital 50-run partnership saw Kusal register his 18th T20I half-century.
Barry McCarthy eventually broke the stand in the 19th over, dismissing Kamindu after a rapid 44 off 19 balls, which featured four fours and two sixes, with the score at 153/5. McCarthy struck again in the same over to remove captain Dasun Shanaka for a duck.
Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 56 from 43 balls, hitting five fours, while Wanindu Hasaranga added one run off two balls as Sri Lanka finished on 164/6.
