Sri Lanka playing 11 against New Zealand

The third T20I of the ongoing series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will take place on Thursday (January 2, 2025). The match is scheduled to be played at Saxton Oval, Nelson.

New Zealand have already sealed the series by winning the first two matches. The hosts won the first game by 8 runs before winning the second game by 45 runs to go 2–0 up. New Zealand completely outclassed the visitors in the second T20I.

Batting first, the hosts posted a competitive total of 186/5 in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, Sri Lanka were all out for 141 runs in 19.1 overs. Lanka will look to win the next game to end the series on a high note.

As Lanka look to restore their pride, we’re taking a look at Sri Lanka playing 11 for the third T20I against New Zealand.

Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs New Zealand – 3rd T20I, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2024-25:

Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (week)

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis will be the openers in the Lankan Playing 11 for the third T20I. Nissanka got the start but couldn’t convert it into a big score in the second T20I. After scoring 90 runs in the first T20I, the right-handed batsman was dismissed for 37 runs in the second game.

Kusal Mendis failed to get going in the second T20I and will look to bounce back in the third T20I. The right-handed batsman had scored 46 runs in the series opener before being dismissed for just 10 runs in the second game.

Middle-order and all-rounders: Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Avishka Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga

Kusal Perera was the pick of the Lankan batsmen in the second T20I. The left-handed batsman scored his team’s best goal during the match. After being dismissed for a duck in the first game, Perera scored 48 runs in the second game. No other Lankan batsman could reach the 40-run mark.

Kamindu Mendis once again disappointed with the bat. After being dismissed for a duck in the first T20I, Mendis could only score a 7 in the second game. However, he is likely to retain his place in Sri Lanka playing 11.

Captain Charith Asalanka once again failed to lead from the front. In the must-win match for his team, Asalanka could only score 20 runs. He will be looking at a better display in the upcoming T20I. Avishka Fernando also failed to impress, scoring just 5 runs.

Wanindu Hasaranga couldn’t do well with the bat, scoring just 1, but was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers. The leg-spinner took 2 wickets and conceded just 28 runs in his 4 overs.

Players: Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara

The visitors will include three front-rowers and a spinner in the Sri Lanka Playing 11. Matheesha Pathirana will lead the attack. The right-arm pacer took 1 wicket for 37 runs in the second game and will have a better display.

Nuwan Thushara and Binura Fernando are expected to be the other driving forces of the team. Fernando had a poor start in the previous match as he conceded 37 runs and failed to take a single wicket. On the other hand, Thushara picked up 1 wicket for 25 runs.

Maheesh Theekshana will be the only top-line spinner in Sri Lanka Playing 11. The right-arm spinner will look to bounce back from his poor display in the previous game where he conceded 52 runs and failed to pick up any wickets.