Eire slipped to a 20-run defeat towards T20 World Cup co-hosts Sri Lanka of their Group B opener in Colombo.
Having gained the toss and opted to bowl, Eire made a stable begin within the area, proscribing Sri Lanka to 71-3 by the tip of the eleventh over after George Dockrell (2-17) picked up two wickets.
Kusal Mendis lastly gave the house crowd one thing to get behind as he pushed the overall on, however then was lucky to be dropped thrice within the seventeenth over as Matthew Humphreys went for 21 runs.
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Eire spurn three alternatives within the house of 4 balls to interrupt Sri Lanka’s batting partnership of Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis of their Group B match of the T20 World Cup
Within the penultimate over, Barry McCarthy (2-40) took two wickets in two balls to dismiss Kamindu Mendis for 44 off simply 19 balls and Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka for a golden duck. Kusal Mendis then introduced up his half-century –
ending unbeaten on 56 off 43 deliveries, with 5 fours – because the co-hosts made 163-6.
Eire misplaced captain Paul Stirling (six) within the fourth over of their reply when he was bowled by Maheesh Theekshana, however a decided 34 from Ross Adair noticed them on to 72-2 on the midway stage.
Lorcan Tucker (21) and Harry Tector (40) continued to attempt to eat away on the run-chase and Eire had been 104-2 after 14 overs, needing 60 from the final six.
Sri Lanka fought again to make common breakthroughs – together with Theekshana dismissing Ben Calitz and Gareth Delany in successive deliveries – as Eire completed quick, all out for 143 with one ball left after dropping their final eight wickets for 38. Wanindu Hasaranga (3-25) and Theekshana (3-23) claimed three wickets every.
Stirling accepted his facet had in all probability let the match slip away at essential factors.
“I felt they acquired 15 to twenty too many,” he mentioned in his post-match on-field interview. “At first of the day, we’d have been pleased chasing it, however you might discover 20 runs nearly wherever within the match.
“When the match was on the road, we weren’t as scientific as we wished to be and a bit sloppy within the area, which is disappointing.
“Expertise informed right this moment on the finish of each innings, and it was the distinction. They defended effectively on the again finish, they upped the ante and put the squeeze on.”
Eire subsequent play Australia on Wednesday, whereas Sri Lanka face Oman in Pallekele on Thursday.
Watch the Males’s T20 World Cup stay on Sky Sports activities from February 7 to March 8. Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free with NOW.
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