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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Ireland Men got their first points at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup when they beat Oman Men by 96 runs with a very comprehensive performance.

Having lost the toss at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Ireland had to consolidate with the bat after the wickets of Tim Tector, Ross Adair and Harry Tector inside the powerplay.

There was the further dismissal of Curtis Campher in the 8th over, but the Irish middle order still managed to maintain a high rate of scoring even while in that rebuilding phase.

A considerable partnership of 101 between Lorcan Tucker and Gareth Delany for the fifth wicket then put the batting side in a position of strength. But it was an explosive partnership of 70 between Tucker and George Dockrell at the backend that eventually brought Ireland Men to 235-5 their highest ever score in T20I cricket.

Tucker’s innings of 94* from just 54 deliveries was also the highest score from an Ireland player at a Men’s T20 World Cup, beating Curtis Campher’s previous record of 72 against Scotland at Hobart in the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Ireland started well in the second innings with Matthew Humphreys striking early and Harry Tector effecting a run out, but the Irish bowlers were then put under pressure with Oman adding 73 in quick time for the third wicket.

Barry McCarthy removed Kaleem in the 11th over after the Omani batter became the oldest player to reach 50 at a Men’s T20 World Cup at 43-years-old, and Dockrell struck again soon after. However, it was three quick wickets from Josh Little, playing his first game of the tournament, that effectively closed out the game to give this side their first points at the tournament.

Player of the match: Lorcan Tucker. Ireland next face Zimbabwe on Tuesday (14 February 2026).

Key stats from today:

– Lorcan Tucker’s 94* is the highest by an Ireland men’s batter at a T20 World Cup (beating Curtis Campher 72 at the 2022 tournament)
– ⁠235 is Ireland Men’s highest total in all T20I cricket
– ⁠It was also the second-highest total for any team at a Men’s T20 World Cup

MATCH SUMMARY

Ireland Men v Oman Men, 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka, 14 February 2026

IRELAND 235-5 (20 overs; L Tucker 91*, G Delany 56; Shakeel 3-33)
OMAN 139 (18 overs; Kaleem 50; J Little 3-16, M Humphreys 2-27)

Ireland won by 96 runs

Scorecard here