Colombo, February 8 Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis impressed with their batting, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana's sharp spin bowling helped Sri Lanka win by 20 runs against Ireland in their T20 World Cup match here on Sunday.
Kusal scored a gritty 56 not out off 43 balls, while Kamindu Mendis provided the late impetus with 44 off 19 deliveries, as Sri Lanka recovered from a slow start to post a fighting total of 163 for 6.
In reply, leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (3/25) and Maheesh Theekshana (3/23) bowled with excellent control, and Ireland were dismissed for 143 in 19.5 overs.
Earlier, Ireland's bowlers, led by George Dockrell (2/17), kept a tight grip on the innings, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 68 for 3 by the 11th over.
However, Kusal played a determined innings, scoring a crucial half-century under difficult conditions, which gave Sri Lanka a competitive total, before Kamindu provided the late flourish, smashing four boundaries and two sixes to add respectability to the total.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka 163/6 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 24, Kusal Mendis 56 not out, Kamindu Mendis 44; George Dockrell 2/17, Barry McCarthy 2/40, Gareth Delany 1/24)
Ireland 143 all out in 19.5 overs (Ross Adair 34, Harry Tector 40, Lorcan Tucker 21; Maheesh Theekshana 3/23, Wanindu Hasaranga 3/25, Matheesha Pathirana 2/26)