The third T20I in the ongoing series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be held on Thursday (January 2, 2025). The match is scheduled to be played at Saxton Oval, Nelson.
New Zealand have already sealed the streak by winning the first two games. The hosts won the first game by 8 runs before winning the second game by 45 runs to take a 2-0 lead. New Zealand thoroughly outplayed 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 bowled out for 141 runs in 19.1 overs. Lanka will look to win the upcoming match to end the series on a good note.
As Lanka look to restore their pride, we look at Sri Lanka playing 11 for the third T20I against New Zealand.
Sri Lanka 11 vs New Zealand – 3rd T20I Sri Lanka Tour of New Zealand 2024-25:
Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (ie)
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are set to be the openers in the Lankan Playing 11 for the third T20I. Nissanka got the start but could not convert it into a big score in the second T20I. After scoring 90 runs in the first T20I, the right-handed batsman was out for 37 runs in the second game.
Kusal Mendis was unable to start in the second T20I and will try to make a comeback in the third T20I. The right-handed batsman scored 46 runs in the first series before being dismissed for just 10 runs in the second game.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Avishka Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga
Kusal Perera was the pick of the chain batsmen in the second T20I. The left-handed batsman top-scored for his team in the match. After being dismissed for a duck in the first game, Perera scored 48 runs in the second game. No other Lankan competitor could reach the 40-run mark.
Kaminda Mendis disappointed again with the bat. After being dismissed for a duck in the first T20I, Mendis could only score a run off 7 balls in the second game.However, he is likely to retain his place in the Sri Lanka Playing 11.
Captain Charith Asalanka failed to lead again. In a must-win match for his side, Asalanka could only score 20 runs. He will put on a better display in the upcoming T20I. Avishka Fernando also failed to impress, scoring just 5 runs.
Wanindu Hasaranga did not fare well with the bat, scoring only 1, but was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers. The footballer won 2 wickets and conceded only 28 runs in his 4 overs.
Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Suchhara
The visitors should include three frontline pacers and one 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 be looking at a better display.
Nuwan Suchhara and Binura Fernando are expected to be the other pacers in the team. Fernando had a poor performance in the previous game as he conceded 37 runs and failed to take a single wicket. On the other hand, Suchhara took 1 wicket for 25 runs.
Maheesh Theekshana is set to be Sri Lanka’s only front-line player playing in the 11. The right-hander will look to bounce back from a poor display in the previous game where he conceded 52 runs and could not claim a single wicket.
