The 6th T20 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between Ireland and Sri Lanka promises to be an exciting contest under lights at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Both teams will be eager to claim a crucial victory to boost their standings in the tournament.
In this article, you’ll find a detailed Ireland vs Sri Lanka today match prediction, along with head-to-head stats, recent team performances, overall form, and a complete ground analysis to understand how conditions may influence the game. Don’t forget to check the T20 World Cup 2026 match timings and fixtures to know when the next games are scheduled.
📌 Ireland Vs Sri Lanka Match Details
- 🇮🇪 Match: IRE vs SL, 6th T20 Match
- 🏆 Series: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
- 📅 Date: Sunday, 8 February 2026
- ⏰ Time (IST / Local / GMT): 7:00 PM IST
- 📍 Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- 👥 Teams: Ireland Vs Sri Lanka
🏏 IRE vs SL Today Match Pitch Report – Key Points
The Ireland vs Sri Lanka pitch report suggests that R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo generally favors batting first in T20 matches, offering a flat surface with good stroke play. Pacers can get some early movement, while spinners become more effective as the innings progresses. The average first innings score at this venue is around 170–180 runs, and chasing teams may feel pressure in the final overs. Toss and dew can also influence the match outcome.
- Pitch Type: Flat and batting-friendly, especially in the first innings.
- Pacers Support: Early movement possible with the new ball.
- Spinners Support: Becomes more effective during the middle and later overs.
- Average 1st Innings Score: Around 170–180 runs, making it a competitive batting venue.
- Chasing Factor: Targets above 170 can create pressure due to slowing pitch conditions.
- Toss Impact: Slight advantage for teams batting first in dry conditions.
- Dew Factor: Evening dew can make bowling difficult, especially in the death overs.
👉 For detailed insights on ground dimensions, boundary sizes, pitch nature, ground records, toss prediction, match winner analysis, and bat-first or bowl-first trends, check the complete R. Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report.
🔥 NED vs PAK Full Squad
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Team Squad
Dasun Shanaka ⭐ (C) (All-Rounder), Pathum Nissanka (Batter), Kamil Mishara ⭐ (WK) (Wicket-keeper), Kusal Mendis (Wicket-keeper), Charith Asalanka (All-Rounder), Kusal Perera (WK) (Wicket-keeper), Kamindu Mendis (All-Rounder), Janith Liyanage (All-Rounder), Pavan Rathnayake (Batter), Wanindu Hasaranga (All-Rounder), Dunith Wellalage (Bowler), Maheesh Theekshana (Bowler), Dushmantha Chameera (Bowler), Matheesha Pathirana (Bowler), Eshan Malinga (Bowler)
🇮🇪 Ireland Team Squad
Paul Stirling ⭐ (C) (All-Rounder), Lorcan Tucker ⭐ (WK) (Wicket-keeper), Tim Heatley Tector (Batter), Harry Tector (Batter), Benjamin Calitz (WK) (Wicket-keeper), Gareth Delany (All-Rounder), Mark Adair (All-Rounder), Ross Adair (Batter), Curtis Campher (All-Rounder), George Dockrell (All-Rounder), Matthew Humphreys (Bowler), Joshua Little (Bowler), Barry McCarthy (Bowler), Craig Young (Bowler), Ben White (Bowler)
🔥 IRE vs SL Key Players to Watch (Today Match Prediction)
This match features several world-class performers who can single-handedly change the course of the game. From explosive batters to lethal bowlers and impactful all-rounders, both teams have strong match-winners. Keeping an eye on these key players will help in making better today match prediction, fantasy team selection, and understanding possible match outcomes.
🏏 Top Batsmen to Watch
- 🟢 Paul Stirling (IRE): Ireland’s experienced top-order anchor and consistent run-scorer.
- ⚡ Harry Tector (IRE): Aggressive batter who can dominate the powerplay.
- ‘🔵 Pathum Nissanka (SL): Sri Lanka’s reliable opener with elegant stroke play.
🎯 Top Bowlers to Watch
- 💥 Wanindu Hasaranga (SL): Leg-spinner with wicket-taking ability in middle overs.
- 🚀 Dushmantha Chameera (SL): Fast bowler with pace and bounce, dangerous at death overs.
- 🎯 Joshua Little (IRE): Ireland’s key pacer for breakthroughs.
⚡ Top All-Rounders to Watch
- 🔥 Curtis Campher (IRE): Can change the game with both bat and ball.
- 🌀 Mark Adair (IRE): Reliable bowler and handy finisher in crucial overs.
- 🌟 Charith Asalanka (SL): Sri Lanka’s impactful middle-order batter and occasional bowler.
⚖️ Dasun Shanaka (SL): Captain and all-rounder who can influence the match.
🏆 Match Impact Players – IRE vs SL
🇮🇪 Ireland: 🟢 Paul Stirling, ⚡ Harry Tector, 🔥 Curtis Campher
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka: 🌟 Charith Asalanka, 🧤 Kamil Mishara, 🎯 Wanindu Hasaranga
🏆 IRE vs SL Today Match Prediction
Ireland is an experienced side with some solid performers, capable of building partnerships and executing smart strategies. Sri Lanka, with their explosive batting and all-round depth, will look to dominate the game at home conditions. This encounter is a mix of Ireland’s resilience and Sri Lanka’s firepower. While Sri Lanka may be favorites on paper, Ireland has the capability to create surprises and keep the contest thrilling
📊 IRE vs SL Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Sri Lanka comes into the match with mixed recent form, winning 1 out of their last 5 games. Ireland has shown slightly better consistency, winning 3 out of their last 5 matches. Both teams will need to perform well to get a strong start in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
| Team | Recent Form |
|---|---|
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka (SL) | ❌ L ❌ L ✅ W ❌ L ❌ L |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland (IRE) | ✅ W ✅ W ❌ L ✅ W ✅ W |
🤝 IRE vs SL: Head to Head
Overall Head to Head: Sri Lanka 🟢 4 Wins | Ireland 🔴 0 Wins
Sri Lanka has dominated their past encounters with Ireland, winning all of their previous T20 World Cup clashes. This gives Sri Lanka a psychological edge going into the match, though Ireland will look to challenge their record and create some surprises.
| Match No. | Season / Tournament | Winner | SL Score | IRE Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13th T20I | T20 WC 2024 Warm-Up | 🇱🇰 SL | 122 (18.2) | 101 |
| 15th T20I | T20 WC 2022 | 🇱🇰 SL | 163/8 (20) | 133/1 (15.0) |
| Qualifier 8th | T20 WC 2021 | 🇱🇰 SL | 171/7 (20) | 128/8 (20.0) |
| 19th T20I | T20 WC 2009 | 🇱🇰 SL | 144/9 (20) | 135/7 (20.0) |
⚔️ IRE vs SL Team Comparison (Last 10 Matches)
Looking at the last 10 matches for both teams, Ireland shows a slightly better win percentage and more consistent performance. Sri Lanka has had strong individual performances, but they’ll need to bring the team together to match Ireland’s recent form.
| 📊 Stats | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka (SL) | 🇮🇪 Ireland (IRE) |
|---|---|---|
| 🏏 Matches Played | 10 | 10 |
| 🏆 Win Percentage | 🟢 30% | 🟡 50% |
| 📈 Average Score | 148 | 162 |
| 🚀 Highest Score | 202 | 196 |
| 📉 Lowest Score | 95 | 117 |
| 📊 Stats | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka (SL) | 🇮🇪 Ireland (IRE) |
|---|---|---|
| 🏏 Matches Played | 1 | 1 |
| 🏆 Win Percentage | 🟢 30% | 🔴 0% |
| 📈 Average Score | 122 | 123 |
| 🚀 Highest Score | 173 | 123 |
| 📉 Lowest Score | 82 | 123 |
🏟️ Recent Matches on This Venue – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
R. Premadasa Stadium has hosted several high-scoring and closely contested T20 matches in recent years. Both Sri Lanka and visiting teams have recorded strong performances here, making it an exciting venue for batsmen and bowlers alike. Teams winning the toss often try to exploit early conditions, while chasing sides can take advantage of dew in evening games. This makes understanding recent matches on this ground crucial for predictions and strategy.
| Match | Tournament | Winner | 1st Inn Score | 2nd Inn Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd T20I | BAN vs SL 2025 | 🟢 BAN | 132/7 (20) | 133/2 (16.3) |
| Final | LPL 2024 | 🟢 JK | 184/6 (20) | 185/1 (15.4) |
| Qualifier 2 | LPL 2024 | 🟢 JK | 187/7 (20) | 186/8 (20.0) |
🌤️ PAK vs NED Today Match Weather Conditions & Dew Impact
The weather at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium can significantly influence the 6th T20 clash between Ireland and Sri Lanka. Temperatures are expected to hover around 28–31°C with partly cloudy skies. The chances of rain are minimal, ensuring a full 20-over match for both sides.
Day Matches: Pacers may get slight early assistance from pitch moisture. Teams batting first could find it challenging to post very high totals if bowlers exploit early movement.
Dew Factor: Evening games usually see dew forming on the outfield, making the ball slippery for bowlers, particularly spinners. This provides a slight advantage to the chasing team, as batting under lights becomes easier and the ball comes onto the bat smoothly.
- Night Matches: Dew can make bowling in the death overs tricky, impacting grip and accuracy. Toss winners might prefer fielding first to exploit favorable conditions.
- Tip for Teams & Fans: Monitoring both pitch and weather is essential. Teams can adjust batting and bowling strategies accordingly, while fans can anticipate scoring trends and potential swings in the match.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – IRE vs SL 6th T20 Match, 2026 World Cup
📌 Where is the IRE vs SL 6th T20 match being played?
The sixth T20 match between Ireland and Sri Lanka will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, known for its batting-friendly pitch with some assistance for spinners in later overs.
⚡ What is the pitch condition at R. Premadasa Stadium?
The pitch generally favors stroke play with good bounce. Pacers may get early movement in the first 4–6 overs, while spinners become more effective in the middle and death overs. Average first innings scores are around 160–170 runs, making it competitive for both teams.
🎯 Does the toss influence match outcomes at this ground?
Yes. Teams batting first generally have a slight advantage in dry conditions. Dew in the evening can make bowling tricky, so captains may opt to field first in night matches to maximize early pacer assistance and exploit dew conditions.
💧 How does dew and day/night impact the match?
- Dew Factor: Evening matches often have dew on the outfield, making the ball slippery for bowlers and favoring the chasing team.
- Day Matches: Pacers can get extra help from morning moisture.
- Night Matches: Bowling in the death overs becomes challenging, influencing teams to strategize fielding first.
🏆 Who are the key players to watch in this match?
- Sri Lanka: 🇱🇰 Dasun Shanaka (C & All-Rounder), Wanindu Hasaranga (All-Rounder), Maheesh Theekshana (Bowler)
- Ireland: 🇮🇪 Paul Stirling (C & All-Rounder), Lorcan Tucker (WK), Curtis Campher (All-Rounder)
📈 What is the recent form of both teams?
- Sri Lanka: 2 wins out of last 5 T20 matches
- Ireland: 3 wins out of last 5 T20 matches
🟢 How has the head-to-head been in T20s?
- Sri Lanka has historically had the edge over Ireland in T20 encounters, but Ireland will look to challenge that record in this tournament.
🚀 What are the average scores and batting trends?
- Average 1st innings score: ~160–170 runs
Teams chasing above 160 may face pressure if spinners exploit the middle overs. Openers are likely to attack in the powerplay, while middle-order batters should rotate the strike effectively.
🏆 Who will win today’s IRE vs SL match?
Considering current form, squad strength, and past head-to-head stats, Sri Lanka may be favorites. However, toss, pitch conditions, and in-match performances can change the game, giving Ireland a chance to surprise.
🏅 Which players can influence the match outcome the most?
- Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana
- Ireland: Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker, Curtis Campher
📖 Where can I find full pitch and ground statistics?
Check complete pitch report, ground dimensions, boundaries, toss impact, and match-winning trends at the official R. Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report.
