Kusal Mendis struck a gusty fifty that guided Sri Lanka to secure a crushing 9-wicket win over Ireland in their opening game of the Super 12s of the ICC T20 World Cup in Hobart on Sunday.

Kusal clouted a 43-ball 68, hitting five boundaries and three maximums to pull the side to 133-1, chasing down a humble 128-8 with 30 balls to spare.

Gareth Delany took the lone wicket for Ireland, while Harry Tector scored 45 off 42 balls as highest for the side. 

Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga were the pick among the bowlers scalping two wickets each, while Binura Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Chamika Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva finished with one wicket each.

Batting first after winning the toss, Ireland made a stumbling start as they lost their top four batsmen for 60 inside the tenth over.

Then Harry and George Dokcrell, in the next stand, formed a 41-ball 47-run partnership to conquer the initial damage with surpassing the hundred threshold.

However, they failed to go forth with the tempo after the latter was bowled for 14 by Theekshana in 16.5 overs when they awfully needed to speed up their total.

Harry also copied the steps of his partner just after the over that lowered them to 117-6.

In the late order, a 9 off 6, 7 off 8 and a run-a-ball 2 helped Ireland to post 128-8 in the stipulated over.

In reply, Sri Lanka reached their target, compensating only their opener Dhananajaya de Silva for 31 off 25 balls in 15 overs.

Charith Asalanka stood on a 22-ball 31.