ICC Men’s T20 WC 2026 | Match 6: Sri Lanka vs Ireland | Preview and Predictions

Co-hosts Sri Lanka will start their 2026 T20 World Cup campaign against perennial giant-killers Ireland in Match 6 of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the R Premadasa Stadium on February 8, 2026. 

Here, we present our preview and predictions for the game.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match 6: SL vs IRE | 19:00 IST, February 8, 2026

Co-hosts Sri Lanka would have ideally wanted to enter this tournament with a much better track record in recent games. A tied series against Pakistan, followed by a humiliating 3–0 clean sweep by England, has compounded their misery. 

For a side once renowned for its quality of batters, in recent years Sri Lanka and batting collapses have gone hand-in-hand. While their middle order has become a real concern over the years, the tendency of their top-order batters to throw away their wickets instead of anchoring the innings hasn’t done them any good either. 

Moreover, since last year’s Asia Cup, there has been a feeling that the Lankan fast-bowling department needs to get its act together. While both Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana have stepped up in recent times, with skipper Dasun Shanaka filling in as the third seamer, the spin department has lost its edge, as was evident against England. Both finger spinners Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana, as well as ace wrist-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, were pretty ineffective against a strong English line-up. 

Their opponents, on the other hand, have a history of causing upsets at major ICC tournaments. The Irish contingent would have loved to play a full warm-up game before starting their campaign, but a washed-out game against Pakistan means Paul Stirling and Co will take the field on Sunday having not got a taste of the Sri Lankan conditions, where they’ll play all their group stage fixtures.

That said, Ireland have played three T20I series in the build-up to the tournament, winning two against the UAE and debutants Italy, while narrowly losing to Bangladesh 1–2. Their overall squad is almost at full strength, boasting a good mix of batters, all-rounders, and bowlers. The likes of Stirling, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, and Lorcan Tucker will be key to setting up a strong foundation with the bat, allowing their all-rounders to come in at the death and accelerate the scoring rate.

The Irish seam department also looks well equipped, with the likes of Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy shouldering the pace responsibility. However, their lack of spin-bowling depth could hurt Ireland, especially considering they’re playing in Sri Lanka.

In terms of weather forecast and pitch report for this game, expect conditions to remain clear throughout the day with minimal cloud cover. The wickets here at the Premadasa have generally been low-scoring, with the first-innings score averaging around 140–150. That said, the last time any team posted above 200 here, it was the West Indies in the semi-final of the 2012 Men’s T20 World Cup — almost a decade and a half ago. With this being another ICC event, expect the pitches to play a bit better and the scores to range somewhere between 180 and 200.

Looking ahead to this fixture, the hosts are not in the best of places both in terms of form and mentality, with their series defeat against England posing more questions than answers. Sri Lanka’s vulnerability leaves the door slightly ajar for Ireland, and that is all perennial giant-killers like them need.

That said, considering Sri Lanka’s home support and their familiarity with the conditions, we’re backing them to start their campaign with a win, though don’t be surprised if there are twists and turns along the way.

Fantasy XI: Pathum Nissanka (c), Paul Sterling, Lorcan Tucker, Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Gareth Delany, Wanindu Hasaranga (vc), Mark Adair, Dushmantha Chameera, Matthew Humphreys, Matheesha Pathirana 

Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo 
Winners Prediction: Sri Lanka