After a three-year absence, star all-around player Angelo Mathews returns to the game in the shorter T20I format as Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka square off in a three-match T20I series that follows the conclusion of their ongoing ODI series. For the Twenty20 Internationals, players like Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Thushara, and Kamindu Mendis are also in the mix. As the captain of the team, leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga would be playing in his first series.
Top order batsmen Nuwanidu Fernando and Janith Liyanage, who won Player of the Match in the second ODI against Zimbabwe, are not in the squad, nor is opener Avishka Fernando. The squad is also lacking Jeffrey Vandersay, Pramod Madushan, and Dunith Wellalage. After being admitted to the hospital last week with suspected dengue, Pathum Nissanka has been named subject to fitness. Sri Lanka will begin its official preparations for the T20 World Cup later this year with these three Twenty20 Internationals. In 2023, Sri Lanka participated in just seven Twenty20 Internationals. The dates of the three Twenty20 Internationals in this series are January 14, 16, and 18, respectively, at Kettarama.
The Sri Lankan team consists of the captain Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wayum Nissanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, and Akila Dananjaya.
