Pavan Rathnayake’s dismissal in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup match against Ireland on February 8, 2026, has drawn significant criticism. During a slow middle-over phase at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Rathnayake’s exit was described by many as a poor tactical decision.
Careless shot costs Pavan Rathnayake his wicket in Sri Lanka vs Ireland T20 World Cup 2026 game
His attempt at being creative resulted in confusion, and he lost his shape as the ball went straight. Rathnayake managed just 5 runs off 9 balls before being bowled, leaving Sri Lanka at a precarious 69/3 and hindering their chances of accelerating during the middle overs.
This moment was particularly disappointing for the crowd in Colombo, as he had just started to find his footing. His departure meant that Dunith Wellalage had to come to the crease much earlier, placing additional pressure on the senior batters to recover the situation.
Here’s the video:
