Sri Lanka’s last-minute decision to bring in Kamindu Mendis paid off handsomely as the all-rounder played a match-turning cameo to set up a 20-run victory over Ireland in their T20 World Cup opener at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.
Kamindu’s fiery 44 off 19 balls provided Sri Lanka the late impetus which was missing when they crawled to 163.
The spin trio of Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage then ripped through the Irish middle order taking seven wickets between themselves to secure a comfortable win.
“I was just trying to score a few boundaries and build a partnership with Kusal Mendis,” Kamindu added.
“Kusal was outstanding today. He deserves a lot of credit. We were looking for somebody to just bat through the innings.
“Indian openers batted well in the chase till 15th over. We had to relax, and we knew they also needed to take chances then we bowled well at the end.”
Hasaranga took three wickets to increase his World Cup total to 40, only behind Bangladesh?s Shakib Al Hasan with 50.
There were anxious scenes when the leg-spinner, who has a history of hamstring issues, limped off after bowling his second over.
Whilst he was able to return and finish his stint, he did so with a limp – casting doubt over any potential involvement for the remainder of the season.
Sri Lanka’s innings had been going nowhere when Kamindu walked out with his team 86 for four in the 14th over and boundaries having stopped flowing against Ireland spinners.
The frustrated left-hander ended a 57-ball boundary drought with a cheeky reverse sweep and then began to loosen up, plundering 21 runs in the 17th over to regain momentum.
Led by Kusal Mendis as the sheet anchor in an unbeaten half-century, Sri Lanka dragged a total from what had been a below par position.
The Ireland attack was led by left-arm spinner George Dockrell, who finished with a parsimonious 2-17.
Ireland was kept in the hunt by a 49-run third-wicket stand from Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector.
After a promising 105 for two, Ireland lost their way and were all out with one ball remaining in the innings for 143 in 19.5 overs as Matheesha Pathirana took two wickets in the last over to finish off the rival batsmen.
“I think they got about 15 runs too many,” Ireland captain Paul Sterling said.
“We were a little bit sloppy in the field and we know we have lots to work on for the next game.
“We were in command with so many wickets in hand but Sri Lanka kept their nerves.
“Spin is a challenge for us. The ball wasn’t coming onto the bat as we expected. Spin I think is going be the real key in this tournament.”
Ex-champions Sri Lanka are co-hosting the 20 nation spectacle in tandem with holders India.