Kusal Perera, Mohamed Shiraz Included in Sri Lanka Squads for New Zealand Series

Sri Lanka has announced its squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against New Zealand, with Kusal Perera and Mohamed Shiraz making notable inclusions.

Perera, who has been out of the ODI team for nearly a year, has earned a recall based on his impressive performance in the recent T20I series against West Indies, where he scored an unbeaten 55. Shiraz, a 29-year-old seamer, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, taking 84 wickets at an average of 18.75 in List A matches. However, he has only bowled four overs in international cricket so far.

The T20I squad remains unchanged from the one that faced West Indies, with all-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe retaining his place. Dinesh Chandimal, who has not played international white-ball cricket since 2022, has also been included in the T20I squad after impressing in domestic competitions.

Sri Lanka's batting lineup remains largely unchanged, with Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, and Charith Asalanka expected to form the core of the top order. In T20Is, Bhanuka Rajapaksa provides a power-hitting option in the middle order, while Janith Liyanage offers a more accumulative approach in ODIs, along with his seam bowling abilities.

The spin department features the regular duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, with Jeffrey Vandersay and Dunith Wellalage also included in both squads. However, there are some changes in the seam-bowling department. Slingers Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara are only in the T20I squad, while left-armer Dilshan Madushanka and Shiraz are ODI bowlers who do not make the T20 outfit. Asitha Fernando is the only seamer to be included in both squads.

The series against New Zealand will begin on November 9, with four matches (three T20Is and one ODI) to be played in Dambulla and the remaining two ODIs in Pallekele.

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