Summary

  • Sri Lanka set Ireland target of 164 with Kusal Mendis unbeaten on 56

  • Sri Lanka go 57 deliveries between boundaries but Ireland drop five catches

  • George Dockrell leads Irish bowlers with figures of 2-17

  • Ireland captain Paul Stirling falls for just six in chase

  • Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector fall as Ireland chase co-hosts, Ben Caltiz and Gareth Delany go in consecutive balls

  • Sri Lanka win by 20 runs as Ireland lose seven wickets in final five overs

  • T20 World Cup, Group B

  • Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live Sport commentary at top of page

  • Have your say using 'Get Involved' button on this page

  • England deny Nepal in final-ball thriller

  • Seifert half-century helps NZ beat Afghanistan

Have your say on the Men's T20 World Cup

Live Reporting

Alvin McCaig

  1. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Well bowled by Mark Adair. He's put pace on and then produced a knuckle ball.

  2. Aatif Nawaz
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Mark Adair has the breakthrough! That drop from Ross Adair has only cost one run.

  3. wicket

    WICKET

    Mishara c McCarthy b Adair 14 (SL 28-1)

    Kamil Mishara doesn't get a second life - after escaping from a dropped catch, Barry McCarthy makes no mistake as the opener miscues and lofts it up for a simple take.

    Ireland get their breakthrough.

  4. SL 27-0

    Sri Lanka move on to 27 with two more boundaries but get a let-off with that missed catch.

  5. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That catch should have been taken by Ross Adair. He puts in a dive. It comes quicker than expected. Paul Stirling came to him to say 'don't worry about it' but it should have been held.

  6. dropped catch

    Dropped catch - SL 24-0

    Kamil Mishara belts it straight to Ross Adair but it's spilled. That could prove costly.

    Ross Adair drops a catchGetty Images

  7. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I can't imagine there will be much spin on this surface first up.

  8. SL 18-0

    Pathum Nissanka hits paceman Mark Adair for a boundary from his first ball before Kamil Mishara also finds the ropes.

    An expensive over for Ireland.

  9. SL 5-0

    A decent start from left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys as he restricts the hosts to five runs from the opening over.

  10. Sri Lanka openers Pathum Nissaka and Kamil Mishatra walk out to the middle and the start is just seconds away.

    Let's go...

    The view of the stadium in ColomboGetty Images

  11. Jonathan Bradley
    BBC Sport NI senior journalist

    The television cameras pick out Ireland women's captain Gaby Lewis in the crowd in Colombo.

    This day last week the 24-year-old helped ensure her side will have a T20 World Cup to look forward to this year as well after they came through the global qualifiers in Nepal.

  12. Irish out to avoid World Cup slip-ups

    Whether it be the unforgettable St. Patrick's Day against Pakistan in 2007, or Kevin O'Brien thumping a rapid century to beat England four years later, Ireland's history at World Cups is one built upon giant killings.

    But if those historic days, and a few more besides against the likes of West Indies, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, all helped to create a reputation for over-performance at global showpieces, it has been a contrasting story at T20 World Cups.

    Indeed, as Ireland prepare to start their 2026 campaign against co-hosts Sri Lanka, the presence of Oman in their group is a reminder that in the shorter format, the shoe has more often been on the other foot.

    It was 10 years ago in India that defeat by the tournament debutants first up sent Ireland on their way to one of their six early exits from eight attempts, while it was the same old story in the USA last time around when a 12-run loss to Canada, with an assist from the weather, did the damage.

    Read more of Jonathan Bradley's preview here

    Ireland's white-ball captain Paul Stirling will be playing at his ninth World CupGetty Images

    Ireland's white-ball captain Paul Stirling will be playing at his ninth World Cup

  13. Teams

    Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana.

    Ireland XI: Paul Stirling (c), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys.

  14. Ireland win toss and will field

    Irish skipper Paul Stirling calls right in the middle and decides his team will bowl first at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

  15. Welcome...

    A thriller sees England pip Nepal and now we bring you coverage of the Group B opener between hosts Sri Lanka and Ireland.

    Sri Lanka will be dreaming of emulating their 2014 triumph but they are coming off a 3-0 series defeat by England.

    Ireland are targeting a top-two finish to secure a spot in the Super 8s - a tough ask in a group which also includes Australia, Zimbabwe and Oman.

    Toss and team news are on the way.

    Thanks for joining us.

    Sri Lanka fans on their way to the gameGetty Images