Uncapped pacer bought for ₹ 1.20 crore at IPL 2025 auction named in Sri Lanka's squad for New Zealand ODIs
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have announced a 17-man squad, led by skipper Charith Asalanka, for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The matches are set to be hosted at Wellington's Basin Reserve (January 5, 2025), Hamilton's Seddon Park (January 8) and Auckland's Eden Park (January 11).
23-year-old uncapped pacer Eshan Malinga, who was bought for ₹ 1.20 crore by the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL 2025 auction last month, has also made the cut.
Recently, SA20 franchise Paarl Royals acquired the services of Eshan Malinga as a replacement for Englishman John Turner ahead of season three, which is set to kick off on January 9, 2025. He was last seen in action at the inaugural 2024 Lanka T10 Super League where he was a part of the victorious Hambantota Bangla Tigers squad.
Apart from 39 First-Class wickets, Eshan also has 20 List A as well as 13 T20 wickets to his name and is one of the bright prospects to watch out for in Sri Lankan cricket.
Here's Sri Lanka's T20I squad:
Charith Asalanka (Captain), 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.
Sri Lanka win both practice matches against New Zealand XI ahead of the limited-overs series
Sri Lanka's limited-overs tour of New Zealand began on Monday, December 23, with the team playing two practice matches against New Zealand XI on the same day at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.
While the visitors won the first game by seven wickets after chasing the 95-run target in 10.5 overs, they followed it up with yet another victory in the second fixture by 32 runs, posting 128 runs in 10 overs batting first.
Before the ODIs, the two teams will face off in the three-match T20I series beginning on Saturday, December 28, at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. While the second T20I will also be played at the same venue two days later, the third game will take place on January 2, 2025, in Nelson.