Kusal Perera makes his return to the Sri Lanka ODI side for the upcoming series at home against New Zealand.
Kusal Perera and Mohamed Shiraz have been included in Sri Lanka ODI squad to play New Zealand.
Due to his 55 not out performance in a T20I against the West Indies, Kusal Perera, who hasn’t played an ODI in nearly a year, was included in this squad. Although Shiraz, 29, has only bowled four overs in international cricket thus far, he has been a superb local player, claiming 84 wickets at an average of 18.75 in List A cricket.
Regarding the Twenty20 Internationals, Sri Lanka has kept the same team from their 2-1 victory over the West Indies in the series. All-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe, a newcomer, has maintained his spot in both teams.
Additionally, Dinesh Chandimal has kept his spot in the T20I team. Although he hasn’t participated in any international white-ball cricket since 2022, he has performed admirably in domestic tournaments ever then.
The nucleus of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup is still in place. Players like Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, and Pathum Nissanka probably ranking in the top five. Bhanuka Rajapaksa is a middle-order batsman for Sri Lanka in Twenty20 Internationals. Janith Liyanage, who can also help with his seam bowling, is more of an accumulating batsman for them in ODIs.
The regulars Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana are also part of the spin contingent. All the while Jeffrey Vandersay and Dunith Wellalage are included in both teams.
On the seam-bowling front, however, there are variations. Binura Fernando and slingers Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara are only included in the T20I team. Shiraz and Dilshan Madushanka, both left-armers, are ODI bowlers who do not play for the T20 team. Both feature Asitha Fernando.
Three Twenty20 Internationals and one One-Day International will be played in Dambulla. Pallekele is where the other two ODIs will take place. On November 9, the series premieres.
T20I squad: Charith Asalanka (capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, Asitha Fernando
ODI squad: Charith Asalanka (capt.), Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Mohamed Shiraz