Sri Lanka began the tournament in one a poor fashion after getting thrashed by Namibia in the Round 1 stages. They turned the tide after beating UAE and Netherlands in the next few matches to make it the next round.
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Lanka have found themselves in what can be called a group of death with Australia, Afghanistan, new Zealand, England and Ireland. They defeated Ireland in their first game of the Super 12s and then lost to Australia after a tremendous assault from Marcus Stoinis at the fag end.
Kusal Mendis has scored the most runs at this T20 World Cup with a total of 176, while Pathum Nissanka has contributed with 137 runs.
Sri Lanka wants their middle order Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga to stand up for the team after they were all dismissed cheaply against Australia.
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Lanka are yet to make a call on how they will replace Binura Fernando after the left-arm quick injured a hamstring in the opening over against Australia.
With Dilshan Madushanka and Dushmantha Chameera out with an injury, Their pace attack will rely heavily upon Lahiru Kumara and Chamika Karunaratne in the encounter with New Zealand. Wanindu Hasaranga has had a poor World Cup so far and he needs to put his head up being a senior player in this unit.
Sri Lanka and New Zealand have met each other five times in T20 World Cups from which Sri Lanka has won on 4 occasions and New Zealand have only one victory to its name.
From the 19 games played against each other in T20Is, New Zealand have won 10 games and Sri Lanka have won 8 games. One of the matches had ended with no result.
Read More: Can Pakistan still qualify for T20 World Cup semifinals?
Sri Lanka – Squad
Original Squad (Sri Lanka): Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Ashen Bandara, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan.
Standby Players: Praveen Jayawickrema, Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwanidu Fernando.
Subbed: Asitha Fernando in place of Binura Fernando
