As the ODI and T20I squads for New Zealand were announced on Wednesday, November 6, Former Sri Lanka white-ball captain Dasun Shanaka continues to be out of favour. Both teams, which are also without pacer Dushmantha Chameera once more, will be led by Charith Asalanka.
For the most recent white-ball series against the West Indies, Shanaka and Chameera were both left out. The former captain of Sri Lanka played for his country in the ODIs against Zimbabwe in January 2024 and the India series in July of this year in the T20I format. For the first time since the ODI World Cup, Kusal Perera is also included in the ODI team for the New Zealand series. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who returned to the national team during the West Indies series has also been kept in the side.
NZ to tour SL
The white-ball leg of New Zealand's tour of Sri Lanka comes after the Blackcaps' 0–2 loss to the Lankan Lions in the two Test matches earlier in the year. The two Twenty20 Internationals will take place in Dambulla on November 9 and 10. The two remaining matches will be held at Pallakelle on November 17 and 19, while the ODI series, which starts on November 13, will also be played at the same location.
As New Zealand looks to advance to the Champions Trophy next year, the ODI series will be crucial for both teams. Under new full-time coach Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka, who did not qualify for the tournament, will be looking to gain momentum.
SL vs NZ squads
Sri Lanka ODI Squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal 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
Sri Lanka T20I Squad: Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal 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
New Zealand ODI and T20I squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (wk), Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Will Young.
