Seven missed chances in the field proved decisive as Sri Lanka capitalised through Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis and a ruthless spin attack to seal a hard fought 20 run victory.
Catches win matches, and Ireland learned that lesson the hard way after dropping seven opportunities that ultimately swung the contest in Sri Lanka’s favour at the R Premadasa Stadium. Those lapses allowed Sri Lanka to recover late and post a competitive total before their spinners closed the door on the chase.
Sent in to bat, Sri Lanka began with intent but were reined in sharply by Ireland’s spinners during the middle overs. After 16 overs, they were restricted to 104 for 4, with boundaries drying up and pressure building. What followed, however, was a decisive shift driven by Ireland’s fielding errors. Kamindu Mendis was dropped on 14 and went on to hammer 44 off just 19 balls. Kusal Mendis, reprieved first on 34, anchored the innings to finish unbeaten on 56 from 43 deliveries. Together, the pair added a crucial 67 runs off 30 balls for the fifth wicket, lifting Sri Lanka to 163 for 6.
Ireland’s chase began steadily, reaching 52 for 1 inside seven overs, with Paul Stirling and Harry Tector providing early stability. But Wanindu Hasaranga changed the momentum despite carrying a hamstring issue. Bowling with minimal follow through, he delivered a decisive spell of 3 for 25 from four overs. Maheesh Theekshana matched that impact with 3 for 23, tightening the squeeze as Ireland were bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs.
Earlier, Kamil Mishara struggled to settle despite riding his luck early. He survived a tough chance back to the bowler and another at short midwicket but failed to convert the reprieves, falling soon after. Kusal Mendis, in contrast, looked fluent from the outset, striking three boundaries in his first eight balls as Sri Lanka reached 50 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.
Ireland’s decision to bowl spin from both ends after the powerplay paid dividends initially, triggering a boundary drought that lasted 56 balls. But Kamindu finally broke the shackles in the 16th over, and from there Ireland’s fielding unravelled. Multiple drops, a costly 21 run over and another expensive final phase pushed the total beyond reach.
In the end, Sri Lanka’s composure under pressure and Ireland’s missed chances told the story of the match.
