T20 World Cup 2026: We get called an Associate every other day and always feel like there’s a need to justify, says Mark Adair

Ireland arrived in Kandy with a clear objective, to build on the momentum generated by their emphatic win over Oman. The mood at training reflected quiet professionalism, with the squad focused and purposeful in their preparations. Mark Adair highlighted the team’s eagerness to test themselves on what he described as the premier surface in the country.

Heading into their fixture against Zimbabwe, Ireland carry the confidence of a strong batting display that not only answered a few external critics but also reinforced belief within the camp. For Adair, however, the performance was about more than just securing points.

“The wicket looks pretty good by all accounts. Kandy’s probably the best cricket wicket in Sri Lanka, so I’m looking forward to it. We get called an Associate every other day by someone. We always feel like there’s a need to justify ourselves. I personally don’t think that’s the case, but some strong performances against big teams help. The last game showed us that we’ve got what it takes,” said Adair to reporters as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Against Oman, Ireland registered the second-highest total ever at a T20 World Cup, a high-octane performance shaped by the astute leadership of stand-in skipper Lorcan Tucker and the explosive finishing touches from George Dockrell. However, Adair was quick to stress that the responsibility now shifts to the bowling unit. While the batters delivered emphatically, he emphasised the need for the bowlers to step up in the upcoming clash.

“The last game was a bit of a record-breaking one all around for us. It’s nice to see a few boys come in and really dominate… it’s probably down to the bowlers, if we’re honest, to try and kick on now and really try and cement a good win,” said Adair.

A significant boost for Ireland’s bowling attack is the return of Josh Little, who delivered an impressive spell of 3 for 16 against Oman. While Ireland already possess considerable international experience, Little offers something distinct, the composure and confidence of a seasoned franchise cricketer accustomed to high-pressure situations.

“I love having Josh in the team, I think he brings experience. Those big moments or the clutch moments, it’s always nice to have that little bit extra,” said Adair.

The upcoming clash against Zimbabwe is shaping up to be a contest defined by execution rather than surprise. With both sides familiar with each other’s strengths, the margin for error is expected to be minimal. Adair acknowledged the quality of Zimbabwe’s bowling unit, singling out Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava as two of the most formidable threats in the tournament.

“I’ve played with Blessing and against them for a long time. They’re probably as good of a bowling lineup as you’ll find in this comp. We’ve played a lot against them. We’ve seen a lot of these guys. There should be no surprises for us,” said Adair.

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