SL vs IRE T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Kamindu Mendis punishes Ireland bowlers; Injects momentum into Sri Lankan innings

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SL vs IRE T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Kamindu Mendis has injected much needed momentum into the Sri Lankan innings.

1 Mins agoKamidu departs

2 Mins agoKamindu, the real hero

7 Mins agoIreland losing it now

15 Mins agoShift in momentum

17 Mins agoChaos all round

20 Mins agoTime for the last four

23 Mins agoBOUNDARY AT LAST!!!!

25 Mins agoBrilliant from Ireland

32 Mins agoSri Lanka slide further

40 Mins agoIreland spinners strangle Sri Lanka

47 Mins agoOnus on Kusal Mendis

52 Mins agoDockrell strikes again!!!!

53 Mins ago10 overs done

1 Hr 1 Mins agoDockrell strikes!!!

1 Hr 7 Mins agoSteady progress for the Lions

1 Hr 13 Mins agoPowerplay done

1 Hr 20 Mins agoNissanka takes off

1 Hr 22 Mins agoFour overs done

1 Hr 28 Mins agoDropped!!!!

1 Hr 34 Mins agoProductive over for Sri Lanka

1 Hr 36 Mins agoFirst boundary

1 Hr 37 Mins agoDecent start

1 Hr 42 Mins agoSri Lankan innings on the way

1 Hr 46 Mins agoTime for the national anthems

1:08 PM IST, Feb 8Playing XIs are out

1:05 PM IST, Feb 8Ireland win the toss

12:50 PM IST, Feb 8Last time Dasun Shanaka led Sri Lanka in

12:41 PM IST, Feb 8Why is Stirling Ireland's biggest World Cup lever

12:30 PM IST, Feb 8Why Hasaranga is Sri Lanka's campaign hinge

12:21 PM IST, Feb 8R Premadasa hasn't been Sri Lanka's happy hunting ground

12:11 PM IST, Feb 8R Premadasa Stadium venue trend

12:01 PM IST, Feb 8SL vs IRE - Head to Head

11:54 AM IST, Feb 8Colombo weather

11:42 AM IST, Feb 8Ireland's key men

11:30 AM IST, Feb 8Sri Lanka's key men

11:23 AM IST, Feb 8Ireland's build-up form

11:19 AM IST, Feb 8Sri Lanka's form

11:15 AM IST, Feb 8Underdogs are stretching the favourites in this World Cup

11:09 AM IST, Feb 8Ireland's dangerous CV - They have ruined bigger nights than this

11:04 AM IST, Feb 8Sri Lanka's upset reminders - why Ireland will fancy a squeeze tonight

10:58 AM IST, Feb 8Ireland's route to T20 World Cup 2026

10:54 AM IST, Feb 8Sri Lanka's route to T20 World Cup 2026

10:48 AM IST, Feb 8Ireland's T20 World Cup story

10:42 AM IST, Feb 8Sri Lanka and their T20 World Cup legacy

10:27 AM IST, Feb 8Co-hosts get their campaign on the way

Summary

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Kusal and Kamindu Mendis aim to take Sri Lanka past the 150 mark.

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: While Kusal Mendis held on one end, Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at the other side. Ireland put Sri Lanka's back to the walls as the home team was left reeling at 87/4 in the 14th over. Kamindu Mendis walked in after this and his presence shifted the momentum of the game. He showed the intent and accelerated the scoring rate propelling the team towards a total over 150....Read More

Kusal Mendis joined Nissanka in the middle after the fall of Mishara. The two right-handed batters ensured that Sri Lanka steered through the powerplay without further loss. The partnership was taking things forward steadily and was starting to look dangerous. However, it was George Dockrell who ended the partnership and created the window of opportunity to bring Ireland back into the game. The off spinner followed it up with the wicket of Rathnayake in the next over, exerting further pressure on Sri Lanka.

Ireland won the toss and invited Sri Lanka to bat first. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara looked steady at the beginning, but then found their rhythm getting the team off to a brisk start. However, Mark Adair managed to pick up the wicket of Mishara in the fourth over giving Sri Lanka the first shock of the night.

Tonight’s sixth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 puts Sri Lanka and Ireland in a straight-up early statement game at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. For the hosts, it’s about setting a tone at home: start crisp, squeeze with spin, and avoid the kind of sloppy chase that turns a group-stage night into a week-long headache. For Ireland, it’s the opposite mission — hang around, keep the scoreboard moving, and wait for one chaotic over to flip the script.

These are the games that look routine on the schedule and then quietly decide who spends the next ten days doing calculator math. Conditions here typically reward discipline more than drama: hard lengths, smart match-ups, and the courage to take singles when the boundary isn’t gifting itself. Watch how Sri Lanka manage the middle overs with their spinners, and how Ireland pace the powerplay without spending all their intent in five minutes.

Playing XIs -

Sri Lanka playing XI

Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana

Ireland playing XI

Paul Stirling (C), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys

Squads:

Sri Lanka Squad

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Pramod Madushan

Ireland Squad

Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young

Follow all the updates here:

Feb 08, 2026 8:42:18 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Kamidu departs

IN THE AIR AND TAKEN!!!! At last Ireland take a catch. Kamindu Mendis departs but not before playing a game changing knock of 44 runs off 19 deliveries. Sri Lanka will be aiming for 170 now and all that because of Kamindu.

Feb 08, 2026 8:41:12 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Kamindu, the real hero

Kusal Mendis held one end, but it is Kamindu Mendis who has created chaos in an otherwise well composed Irish bowling attack. 18 runs already off the three balls in the 19th over and that has boosted Sri Lanka's total over 150.

Feb 08, 2026 8:36:56 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Ireland losing it now

A no-ball and four off that. Kamindu Mendis makes full use of that. But Ireland are losing it in the death. Dropped chances, no-balls, poor bowling, they have done everything to bring Sri Lanka back into this game.

Feb 08, 2026 8:28:42 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Shift in momentum

Kamindu Mendis has changed this game around for Sri Lanka. Since his arrival their scoring rate has increased and that last over signals a huge shift in momentum. 21 runs came off that over and Sri Lanka are on the way to get well over 150.

Feb 08, 2026 8:26:23 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Chaos all round

Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis are looking accelerate and that is leading to some big shots, mis-timings and some lapses in the field. It is chaos all round in this game at present.

Feb 08, 2026 8:23:14 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Time for the last four

So 16 overs have been bowled here. Time for the last four overs of the innings. The Mendis duo is out there and they would be looking to hit at least 13-14 runs per over from here on.

Feb 08, 2026 8:20:58 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: BOUNDARY AT LAST!!!!

So, it is Kamindu Mendis who breaks the shackles. He goes for the reverse sweep and brings up a boundary for Sri Lanka after 57 balls. From here Sri Lanka will target 160 at the least.

Feb 08, 2026 8:18:15 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Brilliant from Ireland

It has been nine overs since the last boundary was hit. The Ireland bowlers have shown brilliant control has and have drained out the momentum completely from the Sri Lankan innings.

Feb 08, 2026 7:56:12 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Onus on Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis becomes vital for Sri Lanka from here on. He has the experience and the game to take the home team to a fighting total from the current position.

Feb 08, 2026 7:51:20 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Dockrell strikes again!!!!

Another wicket for Dockrell here!!!! Rathnayake departs trying to play a cute shot. He misjudged the line and length of that delivery. Sri Lanka suddenly letting go of the momentum.

Feb 08, 2026 7:50:04 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: 10 overs done

After a good start, Sri Lanka have seemingly slowed down. They had 50 runs on the board by the end of the sixth over. Since then, they have added just 18 runs to the total.

Feb 08, 2026 7:42:35 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Dockrell strikes!!!

Nissanka goes!!!! That is a big blow for Sri Lanka. Ireland will be delighted with that wicket. Even though wickets have not come their way, they have not allowed Sri Lanka to accelerate. The pressure of increasing the scoring rate probable got the better of Nissanka there.

Feb 08, 2026 7:36:32 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Steady progress for the Lions

Nissanka and Mendis are ensuring that they make the most of the solid foundation. The two batters are looking to play percentage cricket in the middle overs, in a bid to put their team ahead in the most crucial phase of the game.

Feb 08, 2026 7:30:23 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Powerplay done

After that early loss of Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka have ensured that Sri Lanka steer through the powerplay without further damage. Kusal Mendis changed gears towards the end of the sixth over and ensured that the team 50 was up within the first six overs.

Feb 08, 2026 7:23:58 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Nissanka takes off

IN THE AIR AND SIX!!!!! Nissanka has had enough of a sighter now. Good length delivery at the off and middle stump. Nissanka goes down on one knee and plays the slog sweep over the square leg region for a maximum.

Feb 08, 2026 7:21:27 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: WICKET!!!!!

A clever change of pace does the trick for Mark Adair. Kamil Mishara was forced to commit to that shot early and that ultimately resulted in his demise. Sri Lanka lose their first wicket.

Feb 08, 2026 7:15:06 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Dropped!!!!

Good length delivery at the off and middle. Mishara swings across the line and hits in the air and straight into the hands of the man at short mid-wicket. The fielder there fails to hold on to that. At this level of cricket, those catches are expected to be taken.

Feb 08, 2026 7:09:57 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Productive over for Sri Lanka

Two boundaries in that over. The intent is there from the Sri Lankan openers. They will be looking to build on the momentum they have found in the first two overs of the innings.

Feb 08, 2026 7:07:40 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: First boundary

Mark Adair with the second over. Pathum Nissanka gets the first boundary of the game of the first ball. It was a beautiful shot by the Sri Lankan opener.

Feb 08, 2026 7:06:10 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Decent start

Matthew Humphreys held his areas there. The Sri Lankan batters were careful to start. So, both teams are gauging each other here.

Feb 08, 2026 7:01:36 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Sri Lankan innings on the way

Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara start the innings for Sri Lanka. Matthew Humphreys to start the proceedings for Ireland with the new ball.

Feb 08, 2026 6:57:59 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Time for the national anthems

The teams are out for the national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Ireland followed by Sri Lanka's.

Feb 08, 2026 6:38:30 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Playing XIs are out

Sri Lanka playing XI

Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana

Ireland playing XI

Paul Stirling (C), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys

Feb 08, 2026 6:35:06 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Ireland win the toss

So, the toss has taken place. Paul Stirling, the Ireland captain has won the toss and has invited Sri Lanka to bat first.

Feb 08, 2026 6:20:12 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Last time Dasun Shanaka led Sri Lanka in

The last time Dasun Shanak captained Sri Lanak at a T20 World Cup was 2022 - and it began with the kind of shock that still gets replayed: Sri Lanka were thumped by 55 runs by Namibia in the opener. They recovered to qualify from the first round, then in the Super 12 they won two but lost three, missing out on the semi-final race.

Feb 08, 2026 6:11:05 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Why is Stirling Ireland's biggest World Cup lever

Ireland's best nights in ICC tournaments usually start the same way: Paul Stirling goes hard early, and suddenly the favourite is playing catch-up. He is their tone-setter at the top and their safety net when things get messy - a rare combo in T20. He also brings proven World Cup muscle memory: his unbeaten 66 against West Indies in 2022 didn't just win a game, it helped them knock the two-time champions out and pushed Ireland into the next stage.

Feb 08, 2026 6:00:38 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Why Hasaranga is Sri Lanka's campaign hinge

If Sri Lanka are going to control games in Colombo, Hasaranga is the cheat code - not because he is economical, but because he creates wicket in the exact overs teams want to just get through. He is a proven tournament threat too: he finished as the leading wicket-taker at the 2021 T20 World Cup with 16 wickets, the best by any bowler in a single edition. Add his T20I body of work - 151 wickets in 94 T20Is - and you see why he is the pressure point in every match-up meeting. Against Ireland, his spell can decide whether this becomes a fight or a one-way traffic.

Feb 08, 2026 5:51:29 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: R Premadasa hasn't been Sri Lanka's happy hunting ground

For all the nostalgia this venue carries, Sri Lanka's T20I record at the R Premadasa has been rougher than fans like to admit. Across 32 T20I in Colombo, they have won only eight and lost 24 - a win-loss ratio that underlines how often visiting teams have dictated terms here. Even the extremes tell a story: Sri Lanka's highest total at the ground is 214, but their lowest is 101, proof that momentum can swing hard at this venue. Today, it is a chance to flip that script against Ireland.

Feb 08, 2026 5:41:10 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: R Premadasa Stadium venue trend

The R Premadasa Stadium usually rewards control more than chaos. In T20s here, teams chasing have won 35 of 55 compared to 23 wins batting first, with an average first innings score of 142. The highest total and the biggest chase are both 215/5, while the lowest defended total is 115.

Feb 08, 2026 5:31:26 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: SL vs IRE - Head to Head

Sri Lanka have had Ireland's number in T20Is so far - played 3, won 3. And the detail that stings for Ireland: every one of those meetings has come at a T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka edged a tight one by 9 runs back in 2009, then blew Ireland away by 70 runs in 2021, before making it a chase in name only with a 9-wicket win in 2022.

So yes, Ireland have upset giants in this format - but against Sri Lanka at World Cups, they are still chasing the first win.

Feb 08, 2026 5:24:16 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Colombo weather

It is hot and sticky in Colombo ahead of tonight, with cloudy conditions and around 30°C in the city right now. The forecast for today stays broadly cloudy with temperature pushing up to 32°C.

What that usually means for a night game: expect heavy humidity, a slick outfield, and plenty of dew if there is no rain interruption - chasing can become easier once the ball gets wet. If showers do roll in late, the DLS will come in and have its effect.

Feb 08, 2026 5:12:52 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Ireland's key men

Ireland's best chance starts with Paul Stirling setting tempo up top and Harry Tector doing the glue job in the middle - the guy who can keep it tidy against spin and still cash in late. Lorcan Tucker is their chaos switch: one good 15-ball burst can change the momentum. With the ball, watch the left-arm pace of Josh Little and the hit-the-deck seamers Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy in the hard overs. In Colombo, their control option is spin through Matthew Humphreys and George Dockrell.

Feb 08, 2026 5:00:14 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Sri Lanka's key men

For Sri Lanka, this match and a big chunk of their campaign - starts with Pathum Nissanka setting the powerplay tempo without gifting early wickets, because the middle overs in Colombo can turn into quick sand. Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka are the bridge: if they win overs 7-15, Sri Lanka get to control the game, not chase it. With the ball, the campaign hinges on Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana squeezing and striking on a surface that rewards spin, while Matheesha Pathirana and Dusmantha Chameera own the hard overs.

Feb 08, 2026 4:53:26 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Ireland's build-up form

Ireland have arrived with momentum on their side. Their pre-tournament in Dubai was productive - a stretch where they banked four wins in five games, including a strong showing against United Arab Emirates that underlined their powerplay intent and bowling discipline. The only catch? Colombo weather. Their only warm-up match against Pakistan was abandoned without a toss due to rain, costing them match-time just days before the opener. So the form looks encouraging, but the sharpness has to come quickly, because group-stage freebies don't exist here.

Feb 08, 2026 4:49:45 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Sri Lanka's form

Sri Lanka's lead-in has been bumpy but useful. In the January tune-up against Pakistan, they lost the opener at Dambulla, had the second game washed out, then hit back in a rain-reduced decider to leave the three-match series shared at 1-1. The bigger alarm came days before the World Cup: a 0-3 home sweep by England on turning pitches, where batting depth and death execution were repeatedly exposed. Dasun Shanaka has the armband again, but this time he will hope to give a better show leading his team.

Feb 08, 2026 4:45:28 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Underdogs are stretching the favourites in this World Cup

Two days in, and the so-called weaker sides have already turned this edition into a stress test. The Netherlands took Pakistan deep in the opener before going down by three wickets with three balls left. The USA then had India wobbling at 77/6, forcing a full-blown rescue act before a 29-run escape. Afghanistan matches New Zealand blow for blow too, piling 182/6 before losing the game by five wickets. In other words: reputation isn't winning moments here - execution is.

Feb 08, 2026 4:39:12 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Ireland's dangerous CV - They have ruined bigger nights than this

Ireland don't walk into World Cups hoping for a miracle - they have already live a few. They stunned Pakistan in the 2007 ODI World Cup, chased down 327 to beat England in 2011, and hunted down another 300-plus target against West Indies in 2015. Even in T20Is, they have shown they can end a giant's campaign: Ireland beat West Indies by nine wickets at the 2022 T20 World Cup and knocked the two-time champions out in the first round. That is the point tonight: if Ireland hang around, one big passage can flip the game - and history says they love that script.

Feb 08, 2026 4:34:39 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Sri Lanka's upset reminders - why Ireland will fancy a squeeze tonight

Sri Lanka know better than anyone that no game is routine in a World Cup. They have been stung before - rolled for 108 while chasing 164 against Namibia in the 2022 opener - and there's an older scar too, the 2003 ODI World Cup loss to Kenya. Even outside World Cups, they flirted with disaster at the 2023 World Cup Qualifier when Netherlands had them on the mat. Ireland's job tonight is to drag Sri Lanka into that uncomfortable zone. If they do, the crowd goes quiet - and pressure starts talking back.

Feb 08, 2026 4:28:53 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Ireland's route to T20 World Cup 2026

Ireland didn't need to run the regional-qualifier gauntlet for a sport at the 2026 T20 World Cup. They qualified directly via the ICC Men's T20I team rankings at the 30 June 2024 cut-off, which filled the remaining automatic slots after the 2024 tournament's Supe 8 teams and the two hosts were locked in.

Feb 08, 2026 4:24:20 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Sri Lanka's route to T20 World Cup 2026

Sri Lanka didn't need a qualifier to book their ticket for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: as co-hosts (with India), they were automatic entrants once the 20-team field was finalised. The rest of the automatic spots came from the 2024 tournament finish and the ICC T20I rankings cut-off, with the remaining teams qualifying through regional pathways.

Feb 08, 2026 4:18:01 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Ireland's T20 World Cup story

Ireland's T20 WOrld Cup story is built on flashes of chaos and one landmark run: the Super 8s in 2009, still their best finish. They have qualified for every edition since that debut and have kept punching above their weight, including a 2022 campaign that carried them into the main Super 12 phase. Last time out in 2024, results didn't follow, with an early group-stage exit. But Ireland's identity hasn't changed: fearless powerplay intent, relentless hustle in the field, and the belief that one big over can rewrite a night. On their day, they could upset the favourites and drag matches into the chaos phase

Feb 08, 2026 4:12:46 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup Live Score: Sri Lanka and their T20 World Cup legacy

Sri Lanka carry proper T20 World Cup pedigree. They reached the final twice before finally lifting the trophy in 2014 - beating India by six wickets in Dhaka to end the nearl tag. That stretch gave them three finals in six years, a rare level of consistency in this tournament. Since then, campaigns have swung between promise and frustration: a semi-final run in 2010, then mixed returns, including an early exit in 2024.

Feb 08, 2026 3:57:04 PM IST

Sri Lanka vs Ireland Live Cricket Score: Co-hosts get their campaign on the way

Sri Lanka vs Ireland, Match 6 of the T20 World Cup 2026, is set to light up Colombo tonight — and it’s the kind of group game that can quietly shape the rest of the week. Sri Lanka, playing at home at the R Premadasa Stadium, will back their spinners and expect their top order to set the tempo. Ireland, meanwhile, come in with nothing to protect and everything to chase — a dangerous combo in T20 cricket.

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