Sri Lanka vs Ireland Preview & Prediction | 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Group Stage

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Out of form Sri Lanka takes on Ireland in the hope that playing a major tournament at home can help spur them into life.

Date & time:

Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Weather: Dry with sunny intervals and hot 30c temperatures 

How to watch: UK – Sky Sports & Sky Go / USA – Willow TV

Tickets: Click here for the latest ticket information for Sri Lanka vs USA

Sri Lanka vs Ireland prediction

It’s been a week or so to forget for Sri Lanka, after they were beaten by three matches to nil at home against England in their final T20i series prior to this World Cup. They were worryingly under-par in those games and Ireland will have taken notice with an eye on pulling off an upset in this, their first group stage fixture.

What should work in Sri Lanka’s favour in the surface, which is expected to suit their style of play with plenty of expected assistance for the spinners. That doesn’t bode well for the Irish batting line-up who will not be used to playing in these conditions. Sri Lanka, whose batters are likely to be far better equipped at how to play on the surface expected in Colombo, are worth backing to claim the points.

Sri Lanka vs Ireland tip: Sri Lanka to win