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In a tournament where clinical precision is the gold standard, Pavan Rathnayake’s dismissal during Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Ireland on February 8, 2026, has sparked intense criticism. Chasing momentum in a sluggish middle-over phase at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Rathnayake fell victim to what many are calling a moment of tactical madness.
Careless shot costs Pavan Rathnayake his wicket in Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup 2026 game
The defining moment of Rathnayake’s short-lived stay occurred on the first ball of the 11th over (10.1). Facing Irish left-arm spinner George Dockrell with Sri Lanka struggling to accelerate at 68/2, Rathnayake attempted an audacious ramp shot against a delivery that demanded a much straighter bat. Getting down on one knee too early, he looked to guide the ball toward third man, but his lack of footwork and poor execution were exposed as the ball stayed low and skidded through.
Attempting to be overly creative, he seemed caught between an inside-out drive, a late cut, and a possible ramp; the result was a complete loss of shape as the ball held its line and crashed into the stumps. Having labored to just 5 runs off 9 balls, Rathnayake was clean bowled for a disappointing single-digit score, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 68/3 and effectively ending any hopes of a rapid acceleration during the middle overs.
This braindead moment was particularly frustrating for the Colombo crowd, as he had just begun to settle, but his departure instead forced Dunith Wellalage to the crease much earlier than planned, shifting the massive burden back onto the senior batters to repair the damage.
Here’s the video:
#SLvsIRE pic.twitter.com/J4DimaKy52
— Aman (@Amanriz78249871) February 8, 2026
T20 World Cup 2026: Ireland’s spin trap chokes Sri Lanka in Colombo
The dismissal of Rathnayake was the centerpiece of a masterful bowling display by Dockrell, who dismantled the Sri Lankan top order with surgical precision. Dockrell’s spell was nothing short of elite, as he had already claimed the vital wicket of Pathum Nissanka (24) just an over earlier. Ireland’s spinners capitalized on a surface that offered significant grip and low bounce, making it nearly impossible for the Sri Lankan batters to rotate the strike or find the boundary.
However, the late stages of the innings saw a dramatic shift in momentum. Despite being choked for runs for the majority of the middle phase, Kamindu Mendis launched a sensational counter-attack, smashing a brisk 44 off just 19 balls. Alongside Kusal Mendis, who anchored the innings with a gritty 56, the pair took advantage of sloppy Irish fielding, including two dropped catches, to hammer 21 runs off the 17th over. This ‘jailbreak’ allowed Sri Lanka to recover from the depths of 86/4 to a much more competitive 163/6 at the end of their 20 overs. While Ireland’s disciplined approach, spearheaded by Dockrell (2/17) and Gareth Delany, dictated the middle overs, the late surge from the Mendis duo has set up a thrilling second-innings chase in Colombo.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: crickettimes.com
