During the T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 8, 2026, Sri Lanka’s spin maestro Maheesh Theekshana provided the definitive moment of the Powerplay. Defending a competitive total of 163/6, the co-hosts knew that the wicket of Ireland’s captain and danger-man Paul Stirling was the key to unlocking the chase.

T20 World Cup 2026: Maheesh Theekshana yorks Paul Stirling and unlocks iconic ‘archer’ celebration

The breakthrough arrived in the 4th over (3.2) with a delivery of absolute pinpoint precision. After a sluggish start, Stirling (6 off 13) attempted to charge down the track to unsettle the mystery spinner. Anticipating the move, Theekshana fired in a lightning-fast yorker at the base of the middle stump.

The ball zipped under Stirling’s bat before he could even complete his swing, crashing into the woodwork to leave the Irish captain stunned. Without missing a beat, Theekshana broke into his trademark ‘Archer’ celebration, mimicking the release of an arrow into the night sky as his teammates swarmed him. The gesture, a symbolic ‘bullseye,’ perfectly captured the surgical nature of the dismissal and left Ireland reeling early in their chase of 164.

Here’s the video:

A quick change of pace and Maheesh Theekshana gets the better of Paul Striling! Will Sri Lanka defend the total?⚡

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #SLvIRE | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/AaKfib9jeV pic.twitter.com/2MPsgGkL97

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 8, 2026

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Ireland’s chase of 164 falters against Sri Lanka’s spin trio

Theekshana’s early strike opened the floodgates for a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack that utilized the ‘dry and slow’ Colombo surface to perfection. Following Stirling’s exit, Wanindu Hasaranga maintained the pressure from the other end, eventually removing Ross Adair for a rapid 34 to leave Ireland struggling at 56/2 after 8 overs. Sri Lanka’s tactical decision to use three different spinners, Theekshana, Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage, within the first nine overs successfully stifled the Irish run rate, making boundary-hitting an arduous task.

Despite a gritty effort from Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker to rebuild, the required run rate has climbed steadily toward 10 runs per over. The R. Premadasa crowd remains in high spirits, sensing a victory as the ‘spin-twins’ continue to dominate the middle phase. With Ireland needing a monumental finish to pull off an upset, the momentum remains firmly with the co-hosts following Theekshana’s opening masterclass.

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