Sri Lanka names same squads for T20I, ODIs against New Zealand

Charith Asalanka will lead Sri Lanka in two white ball series against New Zealand

• Has one eye on automatic qualification for 2027 Cricket World Cup

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka have named the same squads picked for the T20I and ODI series against West Indies, for the upcoming white ball contests against New Zealand.

Sri Lanka named a squad of 17 players for the three T20Is against West Indies which they won 2-1, and 16 players for the three ODIs which they also won by the same margin 2-1.

Charith Asalanka who led Sri Lanka to victory against West Indies remains captain for both formats.

Sri Lanka play 2 T20Is against New Zealand at Dambulla starting on Saturday. It will be followed by 3 ODIs at Dambulla and Pallekele.

Spin which formed the basis of Sri Lanka’s wins against West Indies is not likely to feature in a big way as it did in that series.

“The pitches won’t produce sharp turn as the ones prepared against the West Indies,” said Chief Cricket Selector Upul Tharanga. “It will be slightly slower with less spin. We have 4 fast bowlers in the squad and 3 spinners in addition to part time spinners. We have a good T20I bowling line up.”

Tharanga said that Sri Lanka will play their full side for the 2 T20Is. “The ODIs we will have to see how we should approach because we have to finish in the top 8 of the ODI rankings to gain automatic qualification for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. Currently, we are placed 6th. If we win against New Zealand we can move to 5th.”

The qualification scenario for the 2027 Cricket World Cup which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia is as follows:

Of the 14 teams taking part, South Africa and Zimbabwe as co-hosts along with the top eight teams (excluding the hosts) in the ICC ODI rankings as of 31 March 2027 will qualify directly for the competition, while the remaining four spots will be decided through qualifying tournaments.

Although Namibia will co-host the competition for the first time, they will not be guaranteed a spot because they are not a full ICC member, and as a result, they will have to go through the standard qualification pathway.

“We are looking at giving youngsters also a chance, especially the ones who performed well in the recent Sri Lanka ‘A’ tour to South Africa. We have included some of them like Nuwanidu Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Eshan Malinga as standbys for the ODIs, but we have to keep an eye on our rankings as well,” said Tharanga.

Sri Lanka who are currently placed 6th must ensure they remain in the first 8 of the rankings at the cut-off date of 31 March 2027.

The T20I squad played a practice game at R Premadasa Stadium yesterday. They will travel to Dambulla today to prepare for the first T20I on Saturday.

SRI LANKA T20I SQUAD

Charith Asalanka (Captain), 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

SRI LANKA ODI SQUAD

Charith Asalanka (Captain), Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Mohamed Shiraz, plus standbys.