🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026:M 6: SL vs Ireland, Colombo 🏏 - Page 2

Sri Lanka may tweak their balance by adding an extra batter, with all-rounder Janith Liyanage a strong contender for inclusion. Kamindu Mendis and former captain Charith Asalanka are expected to contest one middle-order spot, while Dasun Shanaka leads the side and will look to influence the game with both bat and ball.

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Group B venue and records The historic R. Premadasa Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for Sri Lanka in T20 internationals. Across the years, Sri Lanka have managed only 8 wins while suffering 24 defeats at this venue, a record that adds another layer of challenge as the co-hosts try to build early momentum in this ICC T20 World Cup 2026 home campaign.

Ireland, still dealing with memories of their winless ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, are searching for a fresh start in Group B match no 6. Former Gujarat Titans pacer Josh Little, the only Ireland player with IPL experience, is not guaranteed to start because of recent form and fitness concerns, leaving team management weighing Little against Barry McCarthy for a pace slot.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Colombo, Dasun Shanaka reflected on the England series and the squad’s fitness heading into ICC T20 World Cup 2026. "I think even though we lost that series 0–3, we had a chance to win the second match. But I wasn't really satisfied with the result. In the other two matches, we competed well. But I know that saying we competed is not an excuse. So, when it comes to this tournament, all the players are in good physical condition. Most of them had several niggles earlier, and we know those things shouldn't be repeated here," Dasun Shanaka said in the pre-match press conference in Colombo. "What's more important is understanding the importance of this tournament and playing well, because everyone has the goal of performing better. This is a World Cup being played in our country. So, I think the first match against Ireland is very important to build that momentum going forward. All the players are hopeful of playing well. I think we will give a good performance tomorrow," Shanaka added. With Sri Lanka seeking a reset at a difficult home venue and Ireland hoping to move past a winless ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Group B match no 6 shapes as a vital early test. The result in Colombo on February 8 could strongly influence both teams’ confidence and path through the rest of ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Vulnerable Sri Lanka present Ireland opportunity for an upset

Sri Lanka are co-hosts and have a good spin attack, but arrive at the big stage short on form, and possibly confidence.

Big picture: Sri Lanka in search of lost glory

There was a time when Sri Lanka were among the most consistent T20I sides. Between 2009 and 2014, they made the semi-finals of four successive T20 World Cups. But since then, they haven't qualified for the knockouts even once.

This time, they are the co-hosts. But that may not be a huge advantage. Their captain Dasun Shanaka isn't happy with the Sri Lankan pitches, which he feels are too slow for T20 cricket. At the R Premadasa Stadium, where they start their campaign and later play against Zimbabwe, their win-loss record in T20Is is 8-24 - the worst among the four home venues. Having recently been swept 3-0 at home by England, their confidence may not be high either.

So, can Ireland, their opponents on Sunday, take advantage of that? At the 2024 T20 World Cup, Ireland had failed to win even one match. But they come into this edition on the back of two series wins, albeit against Italy and UAE but in Dubai, where the conditions might not have been too different from what they will get in Sri Lanka. If they are to qualify for the Super Eights, they will have to beat at least one of Sri Lanka and Australia.

Form guide

Sri Lanka LLLWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)

Ireland WWLWW

In the spotlight: Pathum Nissanka and Paul Stirling

Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka's leading run-getter in T20Is, has a career strike rate of only 127.25. But don't get fooled by that. In the last couple of years, he has really upped his game. Since the start of 2025, he has scored 717 runs at a strike rate of 147.22. He also scored his maiden T20I hundred during this period: 107 off 58 balls against India in the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka will need more blazing starts from him at the World Cup.

Paul Stirling has struggled for runs of late

Just like Nissanka, Ireland captain Paul Stirling is the leading run-scorer for his team. But unlike Nissanka, he hasn't been in great form. Since 2025, he has scored only 233 runs in 14 T20Is, at an average of 19.41, a strike rate of 133.14 and a best of 45. Can he find his mojo and lead by example?

Team news

Sri Lanka may decide to go in with an extra batter, possibly in the form of Janith Liyanage. But the nature of the pitch will decide that. Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Pavan Rathnayake are also competing for two spots.

Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kamil Mishara, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Pavan Rathnayake/Kusal Perera, 5 Kamindu Mendis/Charith Asalanka, 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Dunith Wellalage, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Matheesha Pathirana

Josh Little is the only Ireland player to have played in the IPL, but given his recent struggles with form and fitness, he is not assured of a spot in the first XI.

Ireland (probable): 1 Paul Stirling (capt), 2 Ross Adair, 3 Harry Tector, 4 Lorcan Tucker (wk), 5 Curtis Campher, 6 Ben Calitz, 7 George Dockrell, 8 Gareth Delany, 9 Mark Adair, 10 Barry McCarthy/Josh Little, 11 Matthew Humphreys

Thanks for the tag!

Best of luck to both the teams!

Thanks for the tag Madhu.

May the best team win.

Cheers..

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is only just underway, but Match 6 already offers a familiar World Cup dynamic. Co-hosts Sri Lanka take on Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with home advantage firmly on one side and history of upsets on the other side. Their spinners will play a decisive role on surfaces that tend to slow as the game wears on. Central to that plan is Wanindu Hasaranga, among the leading wicket-takers in T20Is in recent years. Alongside him, Maheesh Theekshana brings control in the powerplay and precision through the middle overs.

Sri Lanka rely on tempo and adaptability rather than raw power. Kusal Mendis anchors the top order, while Charith Asalanka provides left-handed balance and a proven record against spin. On a ground where scores of 150-165 are often competitive, batting time and smart acceleration matter. Ireland, on the other hand, are well-versed in defying expectations in World Cups. Captain Paul Stirling remains their heartbeat - Ireland’s leading T20I run-scorer with over 3,500 runs at a strike rate around 135. Harry Tector adds stability in the middle order, while George Dockrell offers all-round balance on slower surfaces. Sri Lanka start as favourites at home, but Ireland’s World Cup track record suggests they will not make it comfortable. Stay tuned for the toss and teams..

6pm A decade or so ago, Sri Lanka were in the midst of a golden cricketing period. Knockouts and finals were being made. Tournaments were being impacted. And on a balmy evening in Mirpur in 2014, they laid their hands on the big prize too.

Consistency is no longer a feature, though. Captains have come and gone, and come back again. Players have been recycled and yet, Sri Lanka have not made an ICC final since. But now, they return home in a world event. To confines they should, in theory, be more acclimatized to than the rest. Hoping that some of that past spark can be reignited.

Ireland, of course, will have other ideas. They have threatened in ICC events before but have not always lived up to their potential. Their ceiling perhaps remains unbreached too, but at this T20 World Cup and in this group, time is not a luxury. Although for a team fighting to cast themselves into the elite, they could do worse than an opening fixture win against the co-hosts.