New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I: NZ vs SL Head to Head, Playing XI, Preview, Where to Watch on TV, Online, and Live Streaming Details

New Zealand Team. (Photo by DAVID ROWLAND/AFP via Getty Images)

After losing both Test and ODI series against New Zealand, the reigning Asian champions will hope to make a strong comeback in the three-match T20I series. However, the Kiwis will aim to remain undefeated even without many of their senior players missing at the moment.

Notably, players like Wanindu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana must be eager to make a mark for their country before flying to India for the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League. Other than that, the batters will be desperate to do well, especially after a terrible performance in both ODI matches.

The Tom Latham-led side meanwhile will aim to play its natural cricket. Will Young and Henry Nicholls have been impressive with the bat while with the ball, Henry Shipley and Daryl Mitchell have been brilliant so far. The openers however will aim to get better and that is probably the only area they need to address at the moment.

Overall, one can expect a cracking contest when the two teams will clash. The Dasun Shanaka-led side has a point to prove while the young guns of New Zealand will try to establish that they are as good as the senior pros.

Pitch & Conditions:

The surface at Eden Park is likely to favour the batters and thus, a high-scoring game is expected. Bowling first will be ideal and anything above 175 will be a good score on this wicket.

Probable Playing XIs for NZ vs SL, 1st T20I:

New Zealand

Tom Latham is unlikely to make any significant changes from their recent ODI series win against the Lankan Lions. Meanwhile, Mitchell and Shipley will be the players to watch out for in the first T20I.

Probable Playing XI: Will Young, Mark Chapman, Tim Seifert (wk), Tom Latham (c), Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Henry Shipley, Adam Milne, Matt Henry

Sri Lanka

Spin wizard Maheesh Theekshana may miss the first T20I as the pitch will hardly assist the spinners. However, eyes will be on Sri Lanka’s middle order as they can prove to be dangerous in the middle overs.

Probable Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka

NZ vs SL Head-to-Head in T20Is:

Played – 20 New Zealand – 11