Sri Lanka and Ireland are set to clash in the 6th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This Group B encounter on Sunday, February 8, 2026, carries massive weight for both sides early in the tournament.
The game kicks off at 7:00 PM local time (2:30 PM GMT, 8:00 PM IST), promising a high-energy night fixture under the lights. Live coverage streams on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar app for fans across India and beyond. R. Premadasa Stadium has hosted 47 T20Is, with teams chasing successfully 60% of the time—bowling second often pays off here.
Colombo’s pitch typically favors balanced contests, offering early seam movement before spin dominates as the game wears on; expect scores around 160-170 to be competitive. Dew could play a big role in the second innings, making the toss crucial for the captain opting to field. Weather looks clear with temperatures hovering at 28-30°C, low humidity around 70%, and minimal rain chance—perfect for uninterrupted cricket.
For co-hosts Sri Lanka, this is a must-win to shake off recent demons and ignite home crowd passion in their World Cup opener. A loss could dent morale against tougher Group B foes like Australia. Ireland, meanwhile, sees this as a golden upset chance; a victory propels them toward Super Eights contention and builds on their rising T20 credentials. Both teams desperately need momentum in a group stacked with heavyweights.
SL vs IRE Match Details
- Match: Sri Lanka vs Ireland, 6th Match
- Teams: SL vs IRE
- Date: 08 Feb 2026
- Time: 6:30 PM 1:30 PM GMT / 7:00 PM LOCAL
- Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
T20 World 2026 Live Streaming Info
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on February 7, 2026, and wraps up with the final on March 8, 2026. Hosted across India and Sri Lanka with 20 teams, it spans about a month—group stages from early February, Super 8s mid-month, semis late February/early March, and the final in Colombo or Mumbai.
- In India, tune into Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2) or stream on Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema.
- Pakistan viewers can watch on PTV Sports, A Sports, or Ten Sports, with streaming available on Tapmad and Tamasha.
- For Sri Lanka, options include SLRC, Channel Eye, and Siyatha TV on TV, plus Sri Lanka Cricket YouTube and Dialog ViU online.
- UK fans have Sky Sports Cricket, TNT Sports 1, and talkSPORT on television, alongside Sky Go, Discovery+, and NOW TV for streaming.
- In South Africa, SuperSport covers it on TV and via their app.
- Australia might check Fox Sports for TV and Kayo Sports for live streams.
- USA and Canada: Willow TV on TV, Sling TV or Willow HD app for streaming.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ on TV and Sky Go app.
- Bangladesh: Gazi TV (GTV) and Rabith BD app.
- Afghanistan: RTA Sport and Ariana TV.
Rest of the world: ICC.tv for free streaming where no local rights holder exists. Subscriptions often apply, and VPNs can assist with geo-blocks where permitted.
How to Watch the Match for Free:
Catch every boundary without paying via these official free options, perfect for fans in Pakistan and beyond.
Pakistan: PTV Sports broadcasts all matches live for free on TV via terrestrial, cable, and satellite—no subscription needed.
Live Streaming Info:
The 6th T20 World Cup match will be live on Star Sports.
Live Score Info:
ICC T20 World Cup 2026: All matches on ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Probable XIs
IRE Probable XI: Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young.
SL Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.
Team Form and Momentum
Sri Lanka arrives with shaky recent results: losses in series against England and Pakistan highlight batting inconsistencies despite home comfort. Their last five T20Is read L-L-L-W-L, but playing at Premadasa often sparks revival. Ireland rides higher after series triumphs over Italy and UAE in Dubai-like conditions, showing adaptability; they’ve gelled as an aggressive unit ready for big stages after a dismal 2024 World Cup. Recent momentum tilts slightly Ireland’s way, but Sri Lanka’s pedigree looms large.
Key Talking Points
Sri Lanka’s spin trio could exploit Premadasa’s grip, but their top-order fragility is a glaring weakness—can openers stabilize? Ireland’s fearless batting, led by explosive starts, might target early wickets, while Josh Little’s pace adds bite. Home advantage versus Ireland’s underdog hunger sets up a classic David-Goliath vibe. Watch for dew’s impact and how captains navigate it.
Head-to-Head Record
Sri Lanka dominates the rivalry with a perfect 3-0 record in T20Is—no ties or no-results. All meetings have been one-sided Lankan wins.
Last five encounters (all three count):
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Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets (most recent).
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Sri Lanka won by 20 runs.
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Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets.
| Stats | Matches | SL Wins | IRE Wins | NR | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sri Lanka Team Analysis
Strengths: World-class spinners like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana thrive here, backed by Premadasa’s turn. Middle-order firepower from Charith Asalanka adds depth.
Weaknesses: Top-order collapses plague them; recent form shows vulnerability to pace upfront.
Key Players: Hasaranga (all-round wizard, 50+ wickets in T20Is), Pathum Nissanka (consistent opener), and Dasun Shanaka (captain’s finishing nous).
Recent Performances: Struggled abroad but unbeaten at home in last three T20Is; expect bounce-back.
Ireland Team Analysis
Strengths: Aggressive top-order with Paul Stirling’s explosiveness; all-rounders like Curtis Campher provide balance. They’ve adapted well to subcontinental conditions lately.
Weaknesses: Bowling lacks depth beyond Josh Little; middle overs can leak runs against spin-heavy attacks.
Key Players: Stirling (T20 stalwart, 2000+ runs), Josh Little (pace spearhead, IPL experience), George Dockrell (veteran finisher).
Recent Performances: Two series wins signal growth; beat UAE convincingly, showing composure under pressure.
Sri Lanka’s home edge, superior spin attack, and head-to-head mastery give them the nod, likely chasing down 160ish under lights with Hasaranga starring. Ireland could push if Stirling fires early, but expect a 65-35 Lankan win—form dips aside, Premadasa magic prevails.