Sri Lanka, led by Dasun Shanaka, will start their T20 World Cup 2026 marketing campaign towards Eire, led by Paul Stirling, within the sixth match of the event. The competition will happen on the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, February 8.
The hosts, with house benefit, will hope to start out the event on a successful notice. Eire, however, will goal to trigger an early upset within the group stage. In World Cups, the latest type of groups typically goes out the window.
This text will cowl the SL vs IRE Match No. 6 preview, together with the pitch report, climate forecast, head-to-head data, possible enjoying XIs, and stay streaming particulars.
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SL vs IRE Match No. 6 Preview
Date and Venue:
The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is about to host the sixth match of the T20 World Cup 2026, that includes hosts Sri Lanka and Eire on Sunday, February 8.
SL vs IRE Squads:
Taking part in in house circumstances provides Sri Lanka a large benefit, however the strain of expectation will likely be heavy on their shoulders. Eire, however, will face a tricky problem as they give the impression of being to enhance on their traditionally blended T20 World Cup file.
Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.
Eire Squad: Paul Stirling (c), Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Younger.
SL vs IRE Possible XIs:
Sri Lanka Taking part in XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera.
Eire Taking part in XI: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Josh Little, Matthew Humphreys.
SL vs IRE Match No. 6 Key Battles
Paul Stirling vs Maheesh Theekshana
Paul Stirling is Eire’s most harmful batter and likes to dominate tempo bowling. Nonetheless, he has traditionally struggled to choose up spin early in his innings.
Maheesh Theekshana, together with his carrom balls and sliders, is prone to open the bowling to focus on Stirling. If Theekshana removes the Irish skipper early, Sri Lanka might take management of the sport. If Stirling survives and counterattacks, Eire might publish a threatening complete.
Wanindu Hasaranga vs Harry Tector
Harry Tector is Eire’s finest participant of spin within the batting order. He makes use of his ft effectively and rotates the strike effectively. Wanindu Hasaranga will look to lure Tector right into a false shot together with his googly. This middle-overs battle might determine whether or not Eire handle to speed up in direction of the top.
Pathum Nissanka vs Josh Little
Pathum Nissanka is Sri Lanka’s in-form batter and offers a stable platform for the massive hitters. Josh Little gives a left-arm angle and swing with the brand new ball and can look to entice Nissanka LBW together with his inswingers. Nissanka’s means to deal with Little’s opening spell will likely be essential for the hosts.
SL vs IRE Match No. 6 Key Gamers:
Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Kusal Mendis
Eire: Paul Stirling, Josh Little, Harry Tector, Mark Adair
SL vs IRE Match No. 6 – Free Stay Streaming and Telecast Particulars
TV Broadcast in India: The sixth match of the T20 World Cup 2026 between Sri Lanka and Eire will likely be broadcast stay on the Star Sports activities Community.
On-line Stay Streaming in India: Followers can watch the match stay on the Jio Hotstar app/web site.
Match Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026.
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Time: The match is scheduled to start out at 7:00 PM IST (native time).
SL vs IRE Climate and Pitch Report – Colombo
SL vs IRE Climate Report in Colombo:
The climate in Colombo for Sunday’s match is anticipated to be excellent for cricket. The temperature will likely be round 22°C at night time. There’s a low probability of passing showers within the night, and a full sport is anticipated.
SL vs IRE Pitch Report at R. Premadasa Stadium:
The pitch on the R. Premadasa Stadium is understood to be spin-friendly. It assists spinners from the very first over, with the ball gripping the floor.
Nonetheless, underneath lights, the ball might skid higher, serving to batters play their strokes. The common first-innings rating at this venue is round 150, whereas the common second-innings rating is near 135.
SL vs IRE Head-to-Head Data
| Stats | Matches | SL Received | IRE Received | Draw | Tied | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| In Sri Lanka | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Final 5 T20Is* | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SL vs IRE Head-to-Head Data: Key Statistics
Based on ESPNCricinfo, Sri Lanka have a flawless file towards Eire in T20 Internationals. The 2 groups have confronted one another 3 times, with Sri Lanka successful all three matches. Eire are but to register a victory towards the Asian aspect on this format.
SL vs IRE Head-to-Head Data: Final Matches
Sri Lanka have dominated latest encounters, together with convincing wins in previous World Cup editions. The hole in expertise has been a key think about these outcomes.
SL vs IRE Head-to-Head Data – Outcomes of Earlier Matches:
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Sri Lanka received by 9 wickets in Hobart (T20 World Cup 2022)
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Sri Lanka received by 70 runs in Abu Dhabi (T20 World Cup 2021)
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Sri Lanka received by 9 runs at Lord’s (2009 T20 World Cup)
SL vs IRE Match No. 6 – Conclusion:
Sri Lanka will enter the match because the favourites. They’ve the house benefit, a spin assault suited to the circumstances, and a batting lineup that may alter to totally different tracks.
Eire have the firepower to trigger an upset, particularly if Paul Stirling fires, however their weak spot towards high-quality spin might be a priority. Except the Irish bowlers produce a magical spell with the brand new ball, Sri Lanka are anticipated to safe a snug victory.
Additionally learn: Wanindu Hasaranga dominated out of cricket forward of T20 World Cup 2026
