Colombo, December 23: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on January 5, 2025. The matches will take place in Wellington, Hamilton, and Auckland.
The squad, led by Charith Asalanka, includes fast bowler Eshan Malinga, who has gained significant attention after being picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 1.2 crore in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) player auction. Malinga has also signed with the Paarl Royals in South Africa’s SA20 tournament.
Apart from Eshan Malinga, Nuwanidu Fernando and Lahiru Kumara have also been named in the squad. Meanwhile, Kusal Janith Perera and Sadeera Samarawickrama have been dropped.
Dilshan Madushanka, who featured in the previous series against New Zealand in last month, has also been excluded. However, Nishan Madushka, Mohamed Shiraz, and Dunith Wellalage, who was not part of the T20I squad against New Zealand, have retained their spots in the ODI lineup.
ODI Squad:
Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga
The 1st ODI of the series will kick off at 3:30 AM IST on January 5, with the subsequent matches starting at 6:30 AM IST on January 8 and 11.
