Sri Lanka beat Ireland: Irish batsmen trapped in the trap of spin, Sri Lanka started the T20 World Cup with victory

New Delhi. The Sri Lankan team has started the T20 World Cup with victory by easily trapping the Irish batsmen in the web of their spin. The spin duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Mahish Tikshina destroyed Ireland’s batting order by taking a total of 6 wickets. Sri Lanka defeated Ireland by 20 runs in the match played in Colombo. As long as the Sri Lankan fast bowlers were bowling, the Irish batsmen were scoring runs, but as soon as captain Dasun Shanaka introduced spinners Hasaranga and Tikshina from both the ends, the runs were controlled and they also took wickets.

While chasing the target of 164 runs set by Sri Lanka, the Irish team collapsed for 143 runs in 19.5 overs. For Ireland, Harry Tector scored the highest score of 40 runs while Ross Adair scored 34 runs. For Sri Lanka, Mahish Tikshina and Wanindu Hasaranga took three wickets each while two wickets went to Mathisa Pathirana.

Earlier, on the basis of Kamindu Mendis’ 44 runs in 19 balls and Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten half-century, Sri Lanka scored 163 runs for six wickets against Ireland after a poor start. Wicketkeeper Kusal scored 56 runs in 43 balls with the help of five fours and made a partnership of 67 runs with Kamindu for the fifth wicket. Kamindu hit four fours and two sixes in his innings. At one time Sri Lanka’s score was 86 runs for four wickets in the 14th over.

Sri Lanka also benefited from poor fielding by Ireland who dropped some catches. Ireland’s decision to choose to bowl first seemed to be proved correct when Sri Lanka could score only 28 runs in the first four overs and also lost the wicket of Kamil Mishara (14). Mishara also got a lease of life, which he could not take advantage of and was caught in mid-off on a slow ball by Mark Adair.

Opener Pathum Nissanka scored 24 runs in 23 balls. He hit a six to left-arm spinner Matthew Humphrey over deep square leg and it seemed that he would play a big innings. Kusal Mendis hit three fours off Barry McCarthy in the sixth over, taking Sri Lanka to 50 for one wicket after the powerplay. After this, Ireland captain Paul Stirling handed the ball to left-arm spinner George Dockrell, who gave only four runs in the first over. Dockrell tempted Nissanka with a slow ball who was caught by Stirling at cover.

After this, his next victim became Pawan Ratnayake who lost his wicket due to playing bad shots. Sri Lanka’s score was 68 runs for three wickets in the 11th over. Dockrell took two wickets for 17 runs. Jareth Delany increased Sri Lanka’s problems by sending Dunith Velalage to the pavilion. After this, however, Kamindu and Kusal took over the innings.