Bhanuka Rajapaksa retained his spot as Sri Lanka announced a 16-member squad led by Charith Asalanka for their upcoming away T20I series against New Zealand, starting on December 28 in Mount Maunganui.

Batter Rajapaksa, who returned to the T20I setup during the home series against the West Indies, keeps his place in the team following his exceptional performances in the recently concluded Abu Dhabi T10 tournament and Sri Lanka's last series against the Kiwis.

Spin-bowling all-rounder Dunith Wellalage was the only player left out the strong Sri Lankan squad that hosted New Zealand last month, when the two sides contested a two-match T20I series.

In November 2024, Sri Lanka secured a four-wicket victory in the first match, while New Zealand levelled the series with a narrow five-run win. The series was hosted at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla.

There are no changes to Sri Lanka's squad from that series with all-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe, who made his debut, also retaining his place as the lone seam-bowling all-rounder in the squad.

Former captain Wanindu Hasaranga will spearhead the spin attack alongside Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay, while the pace attack features Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando and Binura Fernando.

The Sri Lankan batting unit will consist of Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando and Dinesh Chandimal, while skipper Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis will serve as batting all-rounders.

Sri Lanka are spoilt for wicketkeeping options within the squad as Rajapaksa, Chandimal, Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis can all don the gloves as seen from their previous stints behind the stumps for the national team.

According to the ICC, Sri Lanka's T20I squad will depart for New Zealand on Friday (December 20). The T20I series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand will commence on December 28, with the second and third matches taking place on December 30 and January 2, respectively.

The first two T20Is will be played in Mount Maunganui, while the final match will be hosted in Nelson. Here is a look at the Sri Lanka T20I squad followed by the schedule for the series against New Zealand:

Sri Lanka Squad for T20I series in New Zealand

Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka T20I Series Schedule

• 1st T20I: December 28, Mount Maunganui - 11:45 AM IST
• 2nd T20I: December 30, Mount Maunganui - 11:45 AM IST
• 3rd T20I: January 2, Nelson - 5:45 AM IST