T20 World Cup: Ireland let Sri Lanka off the hook as co-hosts ease to opening win

With Ireland winning the toss and electing to bowl, it was an early test of how the side’s spinners would adjust not only to the conditions but superior opposition

Through a three-match series with Italy and two against the UAE in their preparations, Heinrich Malan’s side eventually settled upon a bowling attack missing the out-of-sorts Josh Little.

A change facilitated by the bowling renaissance of Dockrell, the decision to leave out Ireland’s most dangerous quick was vindicated as the spinners stymied Sri Lanka in the middle overs.

Dockrell led the way with figures of 2-17, ably assisted by Gareth Delany whose one wicket came at the cost of 24 runs. With Sri Lanka 50-1 after the powerplay, eight consecutive overs of spin held them to just 87-4 as they were frustrated.

Having hit Barry McCarthy’s final delivery of the powerplay for four, the co-hosts would not find another boundary until Kamindu Mendis brought up his side’s 100 in the 16th over.

With Sri Lanka having finally saw the back of Delany and Dockrell, the partnership of Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis were belatedly able to accelerate ahead, although they were helped in no small part by Irish errors in the field.

There were three drops in the space of four 17th-inning deliveries from Matthew Humphreys, who will feel his figures of 0-44 should come with an asterisk.

With Sri Lanka powering from 104-4 to 163-6 across the final four overs of their innings, Ireland’s target was much tougher.