Ireland lose by 41 runs to Sri Lanka in warm-up match

Sri Lanka clinched a 41-run victory against Ireland in another warm-up match for the 2024 T20 World Cup in Lauderhill, USA. After a 20-run defeat to the Netherlands in the previous match, the Lankan team bounced back strongly.

Winning the toss, Ireland opted to bowl first, and Sri Lanka had a solid start. However, they quickly lost momentum, losing three wickets in the final three overs of the power play. The opening partnership of 37 runs was broken by Kusal Mendis's dismissal. Josh Little took two wickets in the fourth over, including Kamindu Mendis, who got out for a duck. Opener Pathum Nissanka was dismissed by Will Young after scoring 22 runs off 15 balls.

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka also fell quickly, leaving Sri Lanka at 82 for 5. However, Wanindu Hasaranga and Angelo Mathews steadied the innings, although both batted at a slow pace. Captain Hasaranga scored 26 runs before being dismissed, while Dasun Shanaka contributed a quick 23 runs off 15 balls.

Mathews played in an ODI-like manner, remaining unbeaten at 32 runs from 30 balls. Sri Lanka finished their innings at 163 for 8.

Ireland struggled to find their rhythm while chasing the target. None of their batters managed to play a substantial innings. Dasun Shanaka was the standout bowler, taking four wickets. Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dushmantha Chameera kept Ireland under pressure from the start.

Curtis Campher was Ireland's top scorer with 26 runs off 26 balls, followed by captain Paul Stirling, who scored 21 runs. Ireland's innings folded with ten balls to spare, finishing at 122, giving Sri Lanka a comprehensive 41-run victory as they prepared for the World Cup.