SL vs NZ: The New Zealand tour’s ODI and T20I squad announcement by Sri Lanka Cricket has witnessed a few notable inclusions and exclusions. Dasun Shanaka is out; but, Charith Asalanka will lead the team through for this series. All the long-service players are returning from their injury and have a big team to face the Kiwis at home.
Charith Asalanka To Captain Sri Lanka In Both Formats
Charith Asalanka will once again be the skipper of Sri Lanka in the ODI and T20I series against New Zealand. Although he had been left out of the captaincy for a while, Dasun Shanaka has not featured in the squad as he remains in exile from the national team.
Kusal Perera Included In The ODI Squad
Kusal Perera will return to the Sri Lankan ODI team after a long gap since the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. He would be eyeing a repeat of his 50-over show with a winning 55 not out in the third T20I against West Indies.
Also Read: Take A Look At Cricket’s Greatest Upsets: From South Africa’s Googly Revolution To New Zealand’s Historic Whitewash In India!
Dushmantha Chameera is not available for selection, and Mohamed Shiraz gets the nod into the team.
Dushmantha Chameera, who had been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s July series against India due to bronchitis and respiratory infection, is still unavailable. In a boost, however, pacer Mohamed Shiraz, who made his ODI debut earlier this year against India, returns to the ODI side after a period of inactivity.
T20I Squad Remains Same
The Sri Lanka T20I team for the series against New Zealand is the same that had an excellent 2-1 series win over West Indies after the last T20I series. Sri Lanka continues with the winning momentum of the shortest format of cricket while hosting New Zealand on home soil.
Schedule And Venues Of Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Series:
Sri Lanka is set to welcome New Zealand for a T20I series that commences on the 9th of November. Dambulla will get some cricket on the 9th and 10th of November. The ODI series starts on the 13th of November; the first match of the ODI will take place in Dambulla, while two other ODI’s have been planned for Pallekele on the 17th and 19th of November.
Sri Lanka Squad
ODI Squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Mohamed Shiraz
T20I Squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, Asitha Fernando
