Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka could be the best batter in the upcoming game against New Zealand. Nissanka in the last T20I series against the same opponents at home was the highest run-scorer of the series. In two games, he scored 71 runs at an average of 35.50. The 26-year-old will be looking to play the same brand of cricket in the coming series.

The two rivals shared a T20 series in Sri Lanka in November, although New Zealand fielded a second-string line-up featuring several fringe squad members. The Black Caps will put forward more of a full-strength team for this domestic showpiece, starting Saturday at Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval.

New Zealand and Sri Lanka will lock horns in the first T20I of the three-match series on Saturday (December 28). Mitchell Santner will lead NZ in a series for the first time as the white-ball captain.

Notably, Bhanuka Rajapaksa retained his position in the squad despite middling performances in the recent Abu Dhabi T10, as well in Sri Lanka's last series against New Zealand. While another curious retention is Dinesh Chandimal, who, despite being named in recent squads, last played a T20I in February 2022.

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Welcome to the live coverage of 1st T20I of Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2024/25. Match will start at 11:45 AM

New Zealand is set to host Sri Lanka for an exciting white-ball series, starting with the 1st T20I on Saturday, December 28, at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. Bevon Jacobs, recently signed by Mumbai Indians in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction,