On Wednesday, December 18, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced the strong squad for the upcoming T20I series against the New Zealand National Cricket Team.

Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand consists of a three-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series. The first two matches of the T20I will be played on December 28 and 30 in Mount Maunganui and the third match will be held in Nelson on January 2.

Also Read: Gautam Gambhir or BCCI, who to blame? Real reason behind Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement revealed

After that, the two teams will face each other in three ODI matches on January 5, 8 and 11 in Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland.

SLC announces virtually unchanged squad for T20I series

Sri Lanka Cricket’s selection committee (SLC) backed the players and named a largely unchanged squad from their home series against the Kiwis in November. Only Dunith Wellalage has been dropped from the side.

Charith Asalanka will lead the team and will be supported by players like Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal and Bhanuka Rajapaksa in the batting department.

While the bowling duties will be handled by the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Mathesha Pathirana, Nuwan Untilhara, Asitha Fernando and Binura Fernando.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan team will leave for New Zealand on Friday, December 20. Under the guidance of head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, the Lankan team has been flying high in international cricket and has delivered some exceptional performances. Their aim would be to continue their memorable run and win the series against New Zealand in their own backyard.

Sri Lanka T20I team for New Zealand series

Team: 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 Untilhara, Asitha Fernando, Fernando Binura

What happened in the last series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand?

In November, the Lankan Lions and the Black Caps faced each other in a two-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series.

In the first T20I match in Dambulla, New Zealand posted 135 runs on the board, which Sri Lanka chased down in the 19th over to record a 4-wicket win and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

The Kiwis bounced back in the second match and won the low-scoring thriller by 5 runs. New Zealand posted 108 runs on the board and then restricted the hosts to 103 runs.

When the action moved to the ODI series, the home team began to dominate. Sri Lanka won the first match by 45 runs (as per DLS method) after scoring 324/5 and restricting the Kiwis to 175/9.

Then in the second match, New Zealand posted a score of 209, which they were unable to defend and allowed the hosts to win by 3 wickets. The third match ended without competition due to rain, thus the home team won the ODI series 2-0.