SL Sri Lanka
IRE Ireland
T20 World Cup 2026
Sri Lanka vs Ireland Match Prediction
Last updated: 19 January 2026
Home advantage meets World Cup experience. Sri Lanka open their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium - a venue where Wanindu Hasaranga dominates with the ball. The co-hosts arrive with a new captain in Dasun Shanaka and a new batting consultant in Vikram Rathour (ex-India). Ireland, led by the experienced Paul Stirling (3,798 T20I runs, 5th all-time), have never beaten Sri Lanka in T20Is - trailing 3-0 in head-to-head.
Sri Lanka's 2025: New Leadership, Familiar Struggles
The numbers tell a story of inconsistency. Sri Lanka's recent T20I form shows LLWWL across their last five completed matches:
- New Zealand Series (Jan 2025) - Lost series 2-1. Bright spot: Kusal Perera's 101 off 46 balls (century in 44 balls) in the consolation win - the fastest T20I century by a Sri Lankan.
- Pakistan Tri-Series (Nov 2025) - Reached the final but lost. Beat Pakistan in the 6th match (Chameera 4/20), but collapsed in the final - losing last 9 wickets for 30 runs.
- Pakistan Home Series (Jan 2026) - Drew 1-1 (one match rained out). Hasaranga's 4/35 starred in the 3rd T20I win.
The captaincy change tells its own story. Charith Asalanka was replaced by Dasun Shanaka after a run of poor results. Sri Lanka Cricket also brought in Vikram Rathour as batting consultant - the same man who coached India's batters to 2024 T20 World Cup glory.
Key concern: Matheesha Pathirana's fitness. The "Baby Malinga" has been plagued by fitness issues - he was released by Chennai Super Kings and bought by KKR for ₹18 crore at the IPL 2026 auction. If fit, his death-overs yorkers are match-winning. If not, Sri Lanka's pace depth is thin.
Ireland's 2025: Stirling's Final World Cup Push
At 35, Paul Stirling knows this could be his last T20 World Cup. The numbers remain impressive: 3,798 T20I runs (5th all-time), 156 matches, a strike rate of 134.70. On May 21, 2025, he became the first Irish player to 10,000 international runs - a historic milestone against West Indies.
Ireland's recent results show promise but also limitations:
- Bangladesh Series (Nov-Dec 2025) - Lost 2-1 after winning the opener by 39 runs. Matthew Humphreys (4/13) starred in the first match, but Ireland collapsed to 117 all out in the decider.
- England Series (Nov 2025) - Lost 6-wicket defeat at Malahide (154/8 vs 155/4).
The bowling attack is Ireland's strength. Josh Little took a hat-trick vs New Zealand at the 2022 T20 World Cup (Williamson, Neesham, Santner) and has 139 international wickets. Mark Adair has returned from knee surgery and is fit. Ross Adair recovered from his own knee injury to make the squad.
Ireland's preparation has been thorough with warm-up matches in Dubai before flying to Colombo.
Key Players to Watch
| Player | Team | Role | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanindu Hasaranga | SL | Captain/Leg-spin | Best T20I figures 4/9, dominant at R. Premadasa |
| Kusal Perera | SL | Opener | Fastest SL T20I century: 44-ball ton vs NZ (Jan 2025) |
| Paul Stirling | IRE | Captain/Opener | 3,798 T20I runs (5th all-time), SR 134.70 |
| Josh Little | IRE | Left-arm pace | Hat-trick vs NZ at 2022 WC, 139 intl wickets |
| Maheesh Theekshana | SL | Mystery spin | Key wicket-taker in powerplay, carrom ball specialist |
Head-to-Head Record
SL won by 9 runs (2009), 70 runs (2021), 9 wickets (2022)
Ireland have never beaten Sri Lanka in men's T20Is
Venue and Conditions
R. Premadasa Stadium hosted the 2012 T20 World Cup final (West Indies beat Sri Lanka). The pitch offers grip for spinners while the surface helps swing with the new ball. Sri Lanka's familiarity with these conditions is a significant advantage.
Why Sri Lanka Are Favourites
Our Prediction
Ireland have quality - Stirling's experience, Little's pace, and a well-prepared squad. But the combination of home conditions, H2H dominance, and spin depth favours Sri Lanka heavily. Ireland's recent 2-1 series loss to Bangladesh exposed their batting fragility (collapsed to 117 in the decider). Against Hasaranga and Theekshana on a turning Colombo pitch, that weakness will be exploited.
Sri Lanka's inconsistent form (LLWWL) prevents this from being a certainty. But at home, with a new captain with a point to prove and a World Cup crowd behind them, expect Sri Lanka to start their campaign with a win.
Prediction: Sri Lanka to win
Confidence: 72%
