Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis, left, and Kamindu Mendis greet each other during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and Ireland in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP
Kusal Mendis scored a gritty unbeaten half-century, while Kamindu Mendis played a crucial cameo of 44 from 19 balls, as Sri Lanka overcame a sluggish start to post a fighting 163 for 6 in their T20 World Cup clash against Ireland here on Sunday.
Ireland bowlers, led by George Dockrell (2/17), kept a tight grip on the innings after they opted to bowl.
But Mendis fought a determined rearguard, scoring an unbeaten 56 off 43 deliveries after Sri Lanka had slipped to 68 for 3 by the 11th over.
Kamindu then played a vital hand, smashing four boundaries and two sixes to add respectability to Sri Lanka’s total.
Scoreboard
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka c Stirling b Dockrell 24 Kamil Mishara c McCarthy b Adair 14 Kusal Mendis not out 56 Pavan Rathnayake b Dockrell 5 Dunith Wellalage c Dockrell b Delany 10 Kamindu Mendis c Dockrell b McCarthy 44 Dasun Shanaka c Adair b McCarthy 0 Wanindu Hasaranga not out 1 Extras: (nb-1, w-8) 9 Total: (For Six Wickets In 20 overs) 163
Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-62, 3-68, 4-86, 5-153, 6-153 Bowling: Matthew Humphreys 4-0-44-0, Mark Adair 4-0-33-1, Barry McCarthy 3-0-40-2, George Dockrell 4-0-17-2, Gareth Delany 4-0-24-1, Harry Tector 1-0-5-0.
Published – February 08, 2026 06:53 pm IST
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