SriLanka vs Ireland LIVE Score: ICC T20 World Cup 2022 LIVE – SriLanka win by 9 wickets: Asia Cup champions SriLanka began their T20 World Cup Super 12s campaign with a stunning 9-wicket win over Ireland on Sunday. Kusal Mendis smashed a fine 68 to seal the chase with five overs to spare. Earlier, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana starred with the ball to keep Ireland to 128 in their 20 overs in Hobart.
Chasing 129 to win in a cold breezy morning in Hobart, Kusal Mendis smashed a stunning half-century to seal a comfortable win for SriLanka. Mendis and partner Dhananjaya de Silva put on a 58-run partnership at the top of the order to set the ball rolling.
De Silva was dismissed for 31 but Mendis continued his aggressive ways, reaching his half-century off just 37 balls. He was joined by Asalanka who played the perfect foil. The left-hander got off to a slow start, before going berserk in the end. With fine margins separating the teams, SriLanka pushed on to improve their net-run rate, and sealed the chase with five overs to spare.
Earlier, Ireland captain Any Balbirnie won the toss and chose to bat first. The decision did not pay much dividends with Lahiru Kumara cleaning up the Irish skipper. Paul Stirling kept the runs flowing from one end but they were tied at the other end with Maheesh Theekshana and pacers bowling tight lengths and striking wickets at regular wickets. Harry Tector was the only one to get going as he managed a sedate 45. Hasaranga starred with two wickets late and Ireland could only muster 128.
