NEW DELHI: Kamindu Mendis’ blistering 19-ball 44 and an unbeaten half-century from Kusal Mendis helped Sri Lanka recover to 163 for six after a sluggish beginning in their T20 World Cup clash against Ireland on Sunday.

Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal struck 56 off 43 balls, including five boundaries, and added a vital 67-run stand for the fifth wicket with Kamindu, who hammered four fours and two sixes. The partnership rescued Sri Lanka after they had slipped to 86 for four in the 14th over.

Sri Lanka were also aided by a few missed chances from the Irish fielders under lights at the R Premadasa Stadium.

Ireland’s early strangle keeps Sri Lanka in check

Ireland chose to bowl first and the call appeared justified early on as they removed opener Kamil Mishara (14) and restricted Sri Lanka to 28 runs in the first four overs.

Mishara, who enjoyed a reprieve earlier, failed to capitalize as Mark Adair deceived him with a clever slower ball, inducing a straight hit to mid-off.

Despite his brief stay, Mishara looked comfortable during his 11-ball knock, as did opening partner Pathum Nissanka, who fell for 24 off 23 balls. Both batters threw away promising starts, much to the disappointment of the home crowd.

Nissanka briefly raised hopes of a bigger innings when he launched left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys over deep square leg for a towering six.

Spinners strike before Mendis duo counterattacks

Kusal Mendis struck three boundaries off Barry McCarthy (2/40 in 3 overs) in the sixth over to guide Sri Lanka to 50 for one at the end of the powerplay.

That burst prompted Ireland skipper Paul Stirling to bring on left-arm spinner George Dockrell (2/17 in 4 overs), who bowled a miserly first over, conceding just four runs.

The move paid off swiftly. Dockrell exploited Nissanka’s struggles against spin, deceiving him with a slower delivery and forcing a miscued shot to cover, where Stirling completed a sharp catch.

Kusal found it hard to accelerate but held firm even as Dockrell struck again, bowling Pavan Rathnayake, who attempted an ill-judged ramp shot. The dismissal left Sri Lanka wobbling at 68 for three early in the 11th over.

Dockrell remained in complete control as Ireland’s spinners tightened the screws. Leg-spinner Gareth Delany (1/24 in 4 overs) removed Dunith Wellalage, who lofted a tossed-up delivery straight to long-on, pushing Sri Lanka deeper into trouble.

Just when the innings threatened to drift, Kamindu and Kusal changed the tempo with positive strokeplay, stitching together a crucial partnership that revived Sri Lanka and carried them to a competitive total.

(With PTI Inputs)