Player of the Match
Player of the Match

END OF OVER:
15 | 16 Runs | SL: 133/1 | RR: 8.86

  • Kusal Mendis68 (43b)
  • Charith Asalanka31 (22b)
  • Simi Singh2-0-20-0
  • Josh Little4-0-45-0

That's all from us at ESPNcricinfo. You know what's next. Head over there as we say goodbye!

Losing captain, Balbirnie: "(Challenge facing SL spin) We knew they'd be a big threat. There wasn't a whole lot of spin, but enough to challenge the stumps and bat. We wanted to get 160 or so. We knew they did have a threat of spin on a used wicket, but you have to bat well - be it first or second. Tector is one of our top players, he's had an amazing year, he's an important player in our middle order. (Next game MCG) A lot of us wouldn't have played in a stadium like that - new for us. We haven't played England in 11 years or so - exciting.

Winning captain, Shanaka: "Really happy the way we played. That is the kind of cricket we want to play. (Spinners' utilisation) We knew spinners would play a major role in this game. We used the spinners late tactically in this game. (Mendis' back-to-back fifties) He is being consistent and playing according to situation most of the time. That's what he has improved - it is high-class batting. Now we have that luxury. Death bowling is our key area and the start is important - we did that really good. Want to continue with that confidence."

Kusal Mendis, Player of the Match: "Bowlers did really well. Total was low but I played my natural game. My team asked me to play the first six overs and then contribute till the 10th over. Went for sixes and boundaries. (Net run rate - ever a thought?) We wanted to get it in 17 overs. Thanks to crowd for supporting us."

5.55pm A statement made from Sri Lanka - with the ball, with the bat. SL will be mighty pleased that Kusal Mendis stayed till the end with an unbeaten 68. Pathum Nissanka was not missed at all as Dhananjaya de Silva (31) and Charith Asalanka (31*) put in solid performances as well. But of course the game was set up by the bowlers. Theekshana and Hasaranga impressed with their two-fors, but it was a great outing for all their bowlers, each taking atleast one wicket. As for Ireland, their batters will have to pull their socks up while the bowling looked a bit off colour. Little was expensive today with his 0-45 in four overs. We'll have the presentation shortly.

Here's how the points table looks after one set of Group 1 matches. SL's five-over win has made a big difference.

Lakshitha: "What makes me more happy is the last two shots Asalanka played. Timed them so crisply and showed glimpses of how he played during the last world cup. Hopefully he is quite near his best form going forward, which is going to be crucial for SL's chances in this WC."

14.6
6
Simi Singh to Mendis, SIX, finishes it off in style! Full ball on off and turning in. Mendis gets low and slogs it over deep square leg with ease! Sri Lanka win by nine wickets

CJay: "Thanks EspnCricinfo, there is no enough signal to watch the match onboard the ship, but enough to follow the match on cricinfo !!!!"

14.5
0
Simi Singh to Mendis, no run, fullish just outside off. Cut to point, but they can't pinch a single
14.4
2
Simi Singh to Mendis, 2 runs, full ball just outside off. Mendis plays a late jab to deep third. Fielder at short third gives it a chase and pulls it back
14.3
1
Simi Singh to Asalanka, 1 run, good length ball from around the stumps. Cut to deep point
14.2
1
Simi Singh to Mendis, 1 run, goes for the glory shot, but doesn't come off. Another half-tracker outside off. Tries to slog again but this time it is sliced. Lands well in front of the two outfielders at long on and deep midwicket
14.1
6
Simi Singh to Mendis, SIX, gets the treatment it deserved! Half-tracker outside off, bit of turn away. Mendis spots the wayward ball early, moves to the off side and then smacks a sloggy shot over wide long on

END OF OVER:
14 | 17 Runs | SL: 117/1 (12 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 8.35, RRR: 2.00)

  • Charith Asalanka30 (21b)
  • Kusal Mendis53 (38b)
  • Josh Little4-0-45-0
  • Gareth Delany4-0-28-1

17 off that over with Asalanka also looking sublime with a few more balls under his belt.

13.6
4
Little to Asalanka, FOUR, like a t-r-a-c-e-r bullet! Full outside off stump. Leans into a beautiful square drive that just gallops along the grass

Looks like Ireland have just four outside the circle to try and attack the SL batters. Not any slow over rate penalty but a strategy to attack.

13.5
4
Little to Asalanka, FOUR, and there's the boundary! Full just outside off stump. Gets low and smacks it over cover! That sounded well off the bat and fifty stand up!

A productive over so far despite no boundaries.

13.4
2
Little to Asalanka, 2 runs, good length on middle stump. Worked off his pads to square leg. Fielder runs around to intercept, but he messes up the pick up, and that allows the duo to take a second run
13.3
2
Little to Asalanka, 2 runs, slower ball, good length on off. Mows this mistimed slog towards deep midwicket again. More running for the outfielder at deep square leg to do
13.2
2
Little to Asalanka, 2 runs, uses his bottom hand to try and loft this full ball on leg stump. Smacks it towards cow corner, and the ball goes high up, but lands in a safe region. Deep backward square runs around to keep the ball down to just two
13.2
1w
Little to Asalanka, 1 wide, short of a length outside off. Spongy bounce to the keeper with the batter offering no shot

Hritiz: "@Mukund It's not 2015. Ireland are not associate team "

13.1
2
Little to Asalanka, 2 runs, good length ball just outside off. Slower ball to start the spell as well. Cut to deep backward point, there's a gap there, allowing Asalanka to get the second

Twenty nine more needed in seven overs. Little is back.

END OF OVER:
13 | 11 Runs | SL: 100/1 (29 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 7.69, RRR: 4.14)

  • Kusal Mendis53 (38b)
  • Charith Asalanka14 (15b)
  • Gareth Delany4-0-28-1
  • Barry McCarthy2-0-16-0

Mukund: "Ireland should quickly put this game behind them - they did everything wrong - batted first after winning toss, didnt put up runs on the board, not taking chances (missed review, dropped catch). Associate nations should look to chase as they can play fearless cricket with a target in sight."

12.6
0
Delany to Mendis, no run, full just outside off. Smacks a drive with the turn but stopped by cover

If any of you collect player cards, autographed bats or other memorabilia from cricket games, you may be interested in their digital versions. This World Cup, the cricket world is meeting the world of digital collectibles. ESPNcricinfo's digital collectibles partners FanCraze are allowing fans to pre-buy iconic moments from each match of the World Cup called the Crictos of the Game. We'll also have a weekly video series here on ESPNcricinfo with our experts picking our favourite moments of the week.

12.5
4
Delany to Mendis, FOUR, fifty! Good length ball on off and turning away. Mendis tried to push at it to cover but takes an outside edge past the keeper's gloves. Teasing chase for the fielder at short third, with the ball winning the chase.
12.4
4
Delany to Mendis, FOUR, will beat the fielder! Cuts this length ball and beats the fielder at backward point. After that Dockrell at deep extra cover tries to run around to intercept, but alas for Ireland
12.3
1
Delany to Asalanka, 1 run, good length ball outside off. Bit of turn away. Slapped to deep point for a single

Manthan Jain: "So if dockrell is covid positive doesn't he feels weakened while fielding aur batting shami took more than 15 days to completely recover......" -- You make a good point but I am not sure about the weakness.

12.2
1
Delany to Mendis, 1 run, good length ball just outside off. Tries to cut, but bottom edge goes past the leg stump and past the keeper.

ICC Men's T20 World Cup

First Round Group A
TeamMWLPTNRR
SL32140.667
NED3214-0.162
NAM31220.73
UAE3122-1.235
First Round Group B
TeamMWLPTNRR
ZIM32140.2
IRE32140.105
SCOT31220.304
WI3122-0.563
Group 1
TeamMWLPTNRR
NZ53172.113
ENG53170.473
AUS5317-0.173
SL5234-0.422
IRE5133-1.615
AFG5032-0.571
Group 2
TeamMWLPTNRR
IND54181.319
PAK53261.028
SA52250.874
NED5234-0.849
BAN5234-1.176
ZIM5133-1.138