Ireland Tour of Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka vs Ireland Match 3

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February 22, 2026 at Galle International Stadium

Ireland won by 4 wickets with 3.1 overs remaining

Man of the Match:
Paul Stirling 10 (7 balls) & 3/7 (0.5 overs)

Man of the Match

10 (7 balls) & 3/7 (0.5 overs)

IIC MVP

1.57 pts
Stirling Seals Historic Series Win as Ireland Outplay Sri Lanka in Galle Decider

The Ireland tour of Sri Lanka concluded in stunning fashion at the Galle International Stadium, where Ireland produced a composed and clinical performance to defeat Sri Lanka by four wickets with 3.1 overs remaining, sealing the three-match series 2–1.

Batting first in the decisive encounter, Sri Lanka once again struggled to cope with Ireland’s disciplined bowling attack and sharp fielding. Early run-outs and relentless pressure reduced the hosts to 63 all out in just 6.5 overs, their innings never gaining any stability. While Kamindu Mendis provided brief resistance with a blistering 18 off 7 balls, Sri Lanka’s top and middle order collapsed rapidly, losing wickets in clusters.

Ireland’s bowlers thrived on the responsive surface. Mark Adair led the attack with three wickets, exploiting movement and bounce, while Paul Stirling delivered a remarkable cameo with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 7 runs in just 0.5 overs. His late burst ensured Sri Lanka never crossed a competitive total.

Chasing a modest target of 64, Ireland faced moments of tension as Sri Lanka fought back with aggressive bowling. Early breakthroughs kept the contest alive, with Matheesha Pathirana impressing through pace and accuracy, finishing with three wickets. However, Ireland’s batting depth once again proved decisive.

Captain Paul Stirling set the tone at the top with a quick 10 off 7 balls, combining power and intent. After a brief wobble, Curtis Campher anchored the chase with a calm and authoritative unbeaten 21 off 11 balls, steering Ireland toward the finish line. His composure under pressure ensured there were no late surprises as Ireland crossed the target in 6.5 overs.

For his decisive impact with both bat and ball, Paul Stirling was deservedly named Man of the Match, capping off a memorable performance in the series finale.

Ireland’s victory not only secured a historic series win on Sri Lankan soil but also highlighted their growing adaptability in spin-friendly conditions. Across the three matches, Ireland showcased resilience, bowling discipline, and tactical maturity—sending a clear statement as they continue to rise as a competitive force in international cricket.

Sri Lanka Innings (63 runs for 10 wickets in 6.5 overs)
Batter R B 4/6 SR
1 4 0/0 25
0 1 0/0 0
9 6 0/1 150
0 2 0/0 0
18 7 1/2 257.14
0 2 0/0 0
3 4 0/0 75
4 6 1/0 66.67
12 6 0/2 200
0 1 0/0 0
7* 2 0/1 350
Extras 9 (b: 4 | nb: 0 | wd: 5 | lb: 0) 63-10 (6.5)

Fall of Wickets: 1-1, 9-2, 10-3, 10-4, 11-5, 34-6, 40-7, 56-8, 56-9, 63-10

Bowler O R W ECO DB E
Paul Stirling 0.5 7 3 8.4 3 0
Mark Adair 2 12 3 6 7 1
Barry McCarthy 1 6 0 6 4 1
Joshua Little 2 22 2 11 6 3
Ben White 1 12 1 12 4 1
Ireland Innings (65 runs for 6 wickets in 6.5 overs)
Batter R B 4/6 SR
10 7 1/1 142.86
0 4 0/0 0
11 8 1/1 137.5
6 2 0/1 300
21* 11 0/3 190.91
1 3 0/0 33.33
2 6 0/0 33.33
Mark Adair Not Out
1* 1 0/0 100
Extras 13 (b: 3 | nb: 1 | wd: 5 | lb: 4) 65-6 (6.5)

Did not Bat: Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Ben White

Fall of Wickets: 17-1, 28-2, 34-3, 50-4, 52-5, 58-6

Bowler O R W ECO DB E
Wanindu Hasaranga 1 15 0 15 2 1
Dushmantha Chameera 2 9 0 4.5 10 10
Eshan Malinga 1.5 25 2 13.64 5 0
Matheesha Pathirana 2 9 3 4.5 9 2
Records
No records for this match.
Partnerships
Impact Points
Irelandflag
PlayersBattingBowlingTotal
0.01 0.55 0.73
0.47 0 0.61
0.14 0.2 0.44
0 0.2 0.26
0.17 0 0.23
0.15 0 0.19
0 0.08 0.1
0.01 0 0.01
0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
Post-Match Remarks
Sri Lanka
Our bowling performance today was not satisfactory. Despite losing early wickets, we managed to reach a defendable total on this pitch. However, the bowling pitch proved to be a disadvantage for us, as we were unable to secure enough wickets to put pressure on the Irish team. In the upcoming tournament, we will focus on improving our bowling and will return with a strong batting and bowling performance.
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