NICK HOWSON: Two round one qualifiers kick off their Super 12s campaign against each other in Hobart, the scene of much drama during the opening week of the competition
If you had asked either Sri Lanka or Ireland which of the sides they would have fancied playing first in the Super 12s, it is unlikely they would have answered each other.
The alternative to facing a team fully into their stride after three competitive round-one matches would have been a test against an automatic qualifier coming off the back of some half-baked 'official' warm-up games. It would be an opportunity.
Nevertheless, in a group with both of last year's finalists and the 50-over world champions, both face a thankless task to qualify for the top two. It might be that finishing in the top four, thus guaranteeing passage to the 2024 tournament in the United States and West Indies, might quickly become the focus and this game is key to doing that.
In winning virtual knockouts against Netherlands and West Indies, respectively, neither side could have asked for better preparation ahead of the Super 12s.
All of Ireland's six T20I wins over their Group One opponents (from 31 matches) have come against Afghanistan. But having dismissed the double world champions in an emphatic fashion they have nothing to fear.
(INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)
"Yeah, 100 per cent," said Simi Singh. "You get a lot of confidence from that kind of a win under such a pressure game.
"Definitely looking forward to the match with Sri Lanka game, the other games, as well, knowing that you're guaranteed five games at least.
"Yeah, there is a lot of buzz around the group."
Both of Ireland's previous meetings with Sri Lanka have come at T20 World Cups. Their only other appearance in the second round saw their maiden meeting - a nine-run reverse inspired by Lasith Malinga - before being thrashed 12 months ago in round one by 70 runs.
Sri Lanka's new talisman Wanindu Hasaranga salvaged a desperate situation in Abu Dhabi. Reduced to 8 for 3, he struck a 47-ball 71 and then took 1 for 12 with the ball in the chase.
"He obviously took the game away from us last time with the bat actually," added Singh. "I think it was their second game at the last World Cup. He's a dangerous player.
"But I had a chance with him after the game, and he's actually a pretty nice guy, just about spin bowling and different kind of stuff.
"He's interesting, obviously one of their main players, so we will be preparing, both with bat and ball."
Already forced into three alterations due to injury, Sri Lanka are sweating over the fitness of Pathum Nissanka and Pramod Madushan who are suffering from groin and hamstring injuries, respectively.
Danushka Gunathilaka, Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka have already dropped out. After three games in a week, the squad must get try and get through another five in 14 days.
On the continual flow of injuries, Chamika Karunaratne said: "Nothing's happening for the morale of the team because you know it's always, if you aren't doing well or if you are injured, there's always another player to replace.
(Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
"Whatever happens, we're not thinking about it because always, that's a team. It's like 15, 17 players are with us. So that's what we're calling up the levels for this team. We are calling for the reserves as a team.
"So whoever comes, they will do their job for whomever they are replacing.
"So I think there's nothing wrong with the players got injured, but I hope they'll recover."
So far, the tournament has dodged inclement weather but it looms again around the Bellerive Oval. There is a 60 per cent chance of showers though it will hopefully have cleared by the afternoon when play is due to get underway.
Given what these two sides have already given to this competition, it would be cruel to see rain intervene.
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