Follow UsSri Lanka have recalled Kusal Perera for their three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Thus, Perera returns to ODI cricket after a year, having played his last ODI against the Kiwis in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Perera has been a constant figure in the T20I setup all this time, scoring three 40-plus scores in Sri Lanka's last five T20Is.
Mohamed Shiraz, who made his debut in the first ODI against India with figures of 0/25 in four overs, has also been named in the squad. That fixture against India remains the only international match for the right-arm pacer to date.
The T20I squad is the exact same as the side that defeated the West Indies 2-1, with seam-bowling all-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe retaining his place ahead of veteran Dasun Shanaka.
Dinesh Chandimal has also been retained in the T20I setup despite not having played for Sri Lanka in the format since February 2022. However, he averaged 28.7 in the 2024 Lanka Premier League (LPL) at a strike rate of 168.8. Bhanuka Rajapaksa made a comeback to the T20I side against West Indies and also been retained despite scores of 17 and 5* in the first two T20Is.
There are not many surprises in the batting contingent. The spin arsenal also consists of the regulars, with Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Dunith Wellalage making both squads.
The pace battery differs in both squads with Asitha Fernando being the only common point in both squads. The T20I setup features the slingers in Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara, along with left-armer Binura Fernando. The ODI unit has Dilshan Madushanka as the new ball bowler alongside Shiraz, Fernando and Wickramasinghe.
New Zealand’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka begins on November 9 with two consecutive T20Is and will be followed by three ODIs on November 13, 17 and 19.
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, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, Asitha Fernando
ODI squad: Charith Asalanka ( c ), 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
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