The third T20I of the ongoing series between New Zealand and… Sri Lanka This is on Thursday (January 2, 2025). The match is scheduled to be held at Saxton Oval in Nelson.
New Zealand has already clinched the series by winning the first two matches. The home team won the first game by 8 runs before winning the second game by 45 runs to take a 2-0 lead. New Zealand completely outplayed the visitors in the second T20I.
Batting first, the hosts posted a competitive total of 186/5 in the allotted twenty overs. In reply, Sri Lanka were all out for 141 runs in 19.1 overs. Lanka will look to win the next match to end the series on a high note.
As Lanka looks to restore its pride, we take a look at Sri Lanka's playing XI in the third T20I against New Zealand.
Sri Lanka Playing XI vs New Zealand – 3rd T20I, Sri Lanka's tour of New Zealand, 2024-25:
Editorial: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (The Week)
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are set to be the openers in the Lanka playing XI for the third T20I. Nissanka got the start but was unable to convert it into a big score in the second T20I. After scoring 90 runs in the first T20I, the right-handed batsman was bowled out for 37 runs in the second match.
Kusal Mendis couldn't get going in the second T20I and will look to bounce back in the third T20I. The right-handed batsman scored 46 runs in the series opener before being dismissed for just 10 runs in the second match.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Sharith Asalanka (c), Avishka Fernando, Wanendu Hasaranga
Kusal Perera was the pick of the Lanka batsmen in the second T20I. The left-handed batsman scored the highest runs for his team in the match. After being dismissed for a duck in the first match, Pereira scored 48 runs in the second match. No other Lanka batsman has been able to reach the 40-run mark.
Camindo Mendes again disappointed with the bat. After being dismissed for a duck in the first T20I, Mendis managed to score just 7 runs in the second match. However, he is likely to retain his place in the Sri Lanka League No. 11.
Captain Sharith Asalanka once again failed to lead from the front. In a must-win encounter for his team, Asalanka managed to score just 20 points. He will look to have a better showing in the upcoming T20I. Avishka Fernando also failed to impress, scoring just 5 runs.
Wanindu Hasaranga could not do well with the bat, scoring just one run but he was the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers. The leg-spinner picked up 2 wickets and conceded just 28 runs in 4 overs.
Bowlers: Mahesh Thekshana, Binura Fernando, Mathisha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara
The visitors are set to feature three forward players and one in the Sri Lanka playing XI. Mathisha Pathirana will lead the attack. The right-arm pacer picked up one wicket for 37 runs in the second match and will be looking forward to a better show.
Nuwan Thusara and Pinora Fernando are expected to be the other players in the team. Fernando had performed poorly in the previous match as he conceded 37 runs and was unable to take any wickets. On the other hand, Thushara took one wicket for 25 runs.
Mahesh Thekshana is set to be the only front-line player in the playing No. 11 for Sri Lanka. The right-arm pacer will look to bounce back after his poor display in the previous match where he gave up 52 runs and was unable to take any wicket.