COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday announced a 16-member squad for the men’s T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on December 28.
All-rounder Charith Asalanka will continue to lead the former champions’ side, much like the one featured in the two-match home series against the Blackcaps last month.
The first two T20Is of the three-match series will be played in Mount Maunganui on December 28 and 30 respectively, while the final game is scheduled for January 2, 2025 in Nelson.
Experienced top-order batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa also managed to retain his place in the team, owing to his commendable performance in the recently concluded Abu Dhabi T10 tournament and the Islanders’ last series against New Zealand.
The team led by Asalanka will leave for New Zealand on Friday.
After the conclusion of the T20I series, the two teams will face each other in a three-match ODI series, scheduled to take place on January 5, 8 and 11.
T20I series schedule:
1st T20I: December 28, Mount Maunganui
2nd T20I: December 30, Mount Maunganui
3rd T20I: January 2, Nelson
Sri Lanka T20I squad:
Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Sohara, Asitha Fernando and Binura Fernando .
