Sri Lanka chased down 145 for 6 to secure a seven-wicket victory over Ireland in the first T20I of their series in Dublin. Harshitha Samarawickrama led the charge with an unbeaten 86 off 45 balls, guiding Sri Lanka to victory in the 17th over.
Ireland, batting first after being put in, set a competitive total with contributions from several key players. Gaby Lewis scored 39 off 33 balls, Orla Prendergast added 29 off 27, captain Laura Delany made 25 off 21, and Rebecca Stokell contributed 21 not out from 16 balls. Their innings was anchored by a 59-run partnership between Lewis and Prendergast for the second wicket.
However, Sri Lanka, buoyed by their recent Asia Cup triumph, chased down the target with ease. Samarawickrama, who had been the top scorer in the Asia Cup final as well, formed a solid 83-run opening partnership with Vishmi Gunaratne, who scored 30 off 34. Samarawickrama's aggressive innings included 15 fours and one six, while the rest of the Sri Lankan top order chipped in with small but crucial runs.
Sri Lanka's chase was especially notable as they achieved it without their star player, Chamari Athapaththu, who is currently playing in The Hundred. Samarawickrama’s 86* is the fourth-highest T20I score by a Sri Lankan batter and the highest by anyone other than Athapaththu.
On the bowling front, Sri Lanka's left-arm seam bowler Udeshika Prabhodani and left-arm spinner Sugandika Kumari effectively limited Ireland’s scoring. Offspinner Inoshi Priyadharshani was the standout with figures of 2 for 35. Despite efforts from Freya Sargent, Arlene Kelly, and Laura Delany, Ireland could not contain the powerful innings of Samarawickrama.