The importance of matches engraved in the fabric of every cricketing player, coach and the fans. To drop a catch is to squander a critical opportunity, one that can prove to be far too costly, especially in a World Cup with such fine margins. We saw it in the opener between Netherlands and Pakistan of this World Cup, and once again yesterday where Ireland dropped not one or two, but seven catches of varying difficulty in the first innings. 

Ireland’s Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign began with a mixture of encouragement but ultimately ended in frustration, as they fell 20 runs short to tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. 

What, however, did stick for the Irish side was their spin bowling. Having bowled 13 overs of spin, the most they have done ever in a T20I, with Matthew Humphreys, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany bowling out their quota and a handy over of spin from Harry Tector. Dockrell finished with figures of 2-14, an economy of 3.25.

Kusal Mendis anchored the innings with a steady 56* staying put at the crease as the Irish were controlling large periods of the match with 56 balls without a boundary after the powerplay, reducing the co-hosts to 104 after 16 overs, Ireland looked firmly in control.

It was Kamindu Mendis who changed the game, as the innings was stalling, he capitalised on dropped chances and scored a blistering 44 off 19 balls, The penultimate over was the turning point as Barry McCarthy picked up two wickets, but still conceded 19 runs in the over that lasted 11 balls, the joint-highest in Men’s T20 World Cup history to push the total to 163.

Skipper Paul Stirling, picked up a stunning catch in the first innings but had a disappointing day with the bat, scoring 6 (13) before Theekshana cleaned him up and unfurled his signature celebration picking up the first of his three wickets.

Ross Adair 34 (23) and Harry Tector 40 (34) were the standout batters, but failed to see the game out as they were dismissed by the brilliance of an injured Wanindu Hasaranga, who had been off the field after tweaking his hamstring earlier in the innings.

Ireland were 120-4 requiring 43 runs from 22 balls, but the Sri Lankan death-bowling led by Matheesha Pathirana combined with the faultless fielding made the hosts rue their missed opportunities, wrapping up the innings for 143 in 19.5 overs, 20 runs short of the total.

Ireland will now face Australia in a crucial fixture for their survival in the tournament on Wednesday, 11 February.