Sri Lanka They will look to make a successful start to their tour of New Zealand when they take on the hosts in the first T20I of the three-match series. The first match is scheduled to be played on Saturday (December 28) at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
Lanka started the tour in promising fashion by winning both the warm-up matches. In the first warm-up match against the New Zealand XI, Lanka registered a 7-wicket win. The visitors bowled the hosts out for just 94 runs and chased down a total of 11 runs.
In the second warm-up match against the same team, Lanka registered a 32-run win. Sri Lanka posted a huge total of 128/2 in the allotted ten overs before restricting New Zealand's XI to 96/2.
Lanka will be looking for a similar performance in the first T20I as well. Ahead of the match, we take a look at Sri Lanka's Playing 11 in the series opener.
Sri Lanka play 11 vs New Zealand – 1st T20I, Sri Lanka's tour of New Zealand, 2024-25
Editorial: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (The Week)
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are set to open the Sri Lanka 11. In the Test conditions in New Zealand, the onus will be on the Lanka opener to lay the foundation for a good result.
Both Nissanka and Mendis performed poorly in the first warm-up match against the New Zealand XI as they both failed to open their account. In the second warm-up match, Nissanka scored 31 runs off 15 balls with the help of 5 fours and a six. On the other hand, Mendes only managed to score 13 points.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Sharith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Wanendu Hasaranga
The likes of Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis will be the batting options in the middle order for Lanka. Pereira looked in good form in the first warm-up match, smashing 30 runs with the help of 4 fours and a six.
Rajapaksa was out for just 8 runs in the first warm-up match before scoring 25 off 16 balls in the second match. Captain Aslanka will look to lead his team from the front. With Sri Lanka looking to make a successful start to the series, the onus will be on the captain to lead by example.
Asalanka remained unbeaten in both warm-up matches, scoring 18 and 13. Kamindo also looked in good form during the first warm-up match, scoring 28 off 22 balls.
Wanindu Hasaranga will be one of Sri Lanka's starting players in the upcoming match. Although he is one of the best T20 players in the world, he can also change the course of the game with his powerful batting. In the first match, he took 3 wickets for just 12 runs before smashing 27 off just 11 balls in the second match.
Bowlers: Mathisha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando, Mahesh Thekshana, Nuwan Thushara
The visitors are likely to include three front-rowers and one front-rower Sri Lanka, playing 11 for the first NZ vs SL T20I. Asitha Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thuhara are likely to be the three fast bowlers while Maheesh Theekshana will be the spinner.
