Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs New Zealand - 1st T20I, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2024-25

Sri Lanka will be eyeing a winning start to their tour of New Zealand when they lock horns against the hosts in the first T20I of the three-match series. The first game is scheduled to be played on Saturday (December 28) at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.

Lanka have started the tour in a promising fashion by winning both the warm-up games. In the first warm-up game against a New Zealand XI, Lanka registered a 7-wicket win. The visitors bowled out the home side for just 94 runs and chased down the total inside 11 overs.

In the second warm-up game against the same side, Lanka registered a 32-run win. Sri Lanka posted a big total of 128/2 in the allotted 10 overs before restricting New Zealand XI to 96/2.

Lanka will be eyeing a similar performance in the first T20I as well. And ahead of the game, we are taking a look at the Sri Lanka Playing 11 for the series-opener.

Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs New Zealand - 1st T20I, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2024-25

Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk)

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are set to open the Lankan playing 11. In testing conditions in New Zealand, the onus will be on the Lanka openers to set the foundation for a good score.

Both Nissanka and Mendis had poor outings in the first warm-up game against New Zealand XI as both of them failed to open their account. In the second warm-up game, Nissanka scored 31 runs off 15 balls with the help of 5 fours and a six. On the other hand, Mendis could score only 13 runs.

Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga

The likes of Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, and Kamindu Mendis will be the batting options in the middle-order for Lanka. Perera looked in good touch in the first warm-up game, smashing 30 runs with the help of 4 fours and a six.

Rajapaksa was out for just 8 runs in the first warm-up game before scoring 25 off 16 balls in the second game. Captain Asalanka will be looking to lead his team from the front. With Sri Lanka eyeing a winning start to the series, the onus will be on the captain to lead by example.

Asalanka remained unbeaten in both the warm-up games, scoring 18 and 13. Kamindu looked in good touch as well during the first warm-up game, scoring 28 off 22 balls.

Wanindu Hasaranga will be one of Sri Lanka's key players in the upcoming game. While he is one of the best T20 spinners in the world, he also can change the course of a game with his big hitting. In the first game, he picked up 3 wickets for just 12 runs before smashing 27 off just 11 balls in the second game.

Bowlers: Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara

The visitors are likely to include three frontline pacers and one frontline spinner in Sri Lanka Playing 11 for the first NZ vs SL T20I. Asitha Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, and Nuwan Thushara are likely to be the three fast-bowlers while Maheesh Theekshana will be the spinner.