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

With Ireland winning the toss and choosing to bowl, it was an early test of how the team’s players could adapt not only to the conditions but also to a superior opposition.

With a three-match series with Italy and two matches against the United Arab Emirates in their preparations, Heinrich Malan’s side eventually settled on a bowling attack that was missing from Josh Little.

A change facilitated by Dockrell’s bowling renaissance, the decision to rule out Ireland’s most dangerous fast bowler was vindicated as the spinners frustrated Sri Lanka in the middle overs.

Dockrell led the way with figures of 2-17, ably assisted by Gareth Delaney whose one wicket came at the cost of 24 runs. With Sri Lanka leading 50-1 after the Powerplay, eight successive overs saw them reach just 87-4 as they were frustrated.

After hitting Barry McCarthy’s final powerplay delivery for four, the hosts found no further boundaries until Kamindu Mendis brought up his team’s 100 in the 16th over.

With Sri Lanka finally out of Delaney and Dockrell, the partnership of Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis was able to take a late lead, although Irish errors in the field helped them greatly.

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

With Sri Lanka going from 104-4 to 163-6 over the last four overs of the innings, Ireland’s target was much tougher.