The upcoming white-ball series in New Zealand, kicking off next week, offers Sri Lanka a golden chance to stretch their wings and soar higher in the international rankings. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to polish their overseas record – something they’ve been harping on as a cornerstone of their resurgence. While the team’s fortunes have undeniably turned a corner under the current regime, improving their away performances remains the final frontier.
In 2024, Sri Lanka have been climbing the ICC rankings ladder steadily, and a series win in New Zealand would be another feather in their cap. In T20s, for instance, the team sits in eighth place, just three points shy of Pakistan. Toppling Pakistan to secure the seventh slot would be a much-needed boost to their confidence.
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In the ODI arena, the stakes are even higher. Both Sri Lanka and New Zealand are neck and neck on points, and whoever wins the series will secure the coveted fifth position. For a team that has stumbled through the past few years in ODI cricket, this would be a triumph worth its weight in gold. After their disastrous World Cup campaign in India last year, which saw them miss out on qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy – the first ICC event Sri Lanka have failed to qualify for since the inaugural one in 1975.
The appointment of a fresh selection panel and coaching staff, spearheaded by former captains Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga, has been instrumental in turning the ship around.
One player who has had the cricketing world buzzing is Matheesha Pathirana. While Sri Lanka have produced many pacers trying to mimic the legendary Lasith Malinga, Pathirana stands out from the lot thanks to his blistering pace – a rare gem in the Lankan fast-bowling arsenal. Admittedly, his performances have been a mixed bag so far, with only the occasional flash of brilliance. However, it’s worth noting that most of his outings have been on docile subcontinental pitches or the unhelpful tracks of the USA earlier this year.
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This series marks Pathirana’s first foray into a SENA country (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia), and the green tops in New Zealand could be just the tonic he needs. While the pitches may not offer much bounce, his pace alone could be enough to rattle the Kiwi batters. It was, after all, in New Zealand that Malinga first made waves, leaving the local batters begging umpires to stand farther back as they struggled to spot his deliveries. Don’t be surprised if Pathirana serves up a similar spectacle.
Among the batters, Pathum Nissanka has been Sri Lanka’s crown jewel this year, featuring in the top ten rankings in both ODIs and T20s. A strong showing in New Zealand could propel him into the top five—a milestone well within reach for the first Sri Lankan to score a double century in ODIs. Nissanka has openly declared his ambition to become the world’s top-ranked batter, and judging by his purple patch, the stars seem to be aligning for him.
Captain Charith Asalanka has also been a linchpin in the middle order. While power-hitting may not be his calling card, his ability to rotate strike and find boundaries after the powerplays has been the backbone of several Sri Lankan victories. Alongside Nissanka, Asalanka holds a spot in the ICC’s top ten rankings – a testament to his consistency.
Kusal Mendis, meanwhile, has been a revelation in white-ball cricket this year. He’s knocking on the door of the T20 top ten rankings and currently leads the world in ODI runs for 2024 – a sparkling achievement that underscores his value to the side.
Power-hitter Bhanuka Rajapaksa will be licking his chops at the prospect of taking on New Zealand’s short boundaries. A vital cog in Sri Lanka’s T20 wheel, Rajapaksa has been working closely with coaches to fine-tune his explosive game, and his contributions could be the X-factor the team needs.
The return of Wanindu Hasaranga is another shot in the arm for the squad. Although spin won’t be the main weapon in New Zealand, Hasaranga’s mastery of subtle variations makes him a constant menace for batters. Likely to be the lone spinner in the T20s, he’ll have a pivotal role to play, particularly as his comeback follows a frustrating hamstring injury sustained a few weeks ago.
All in all, this series feels like a test of character for Sri Lanka – a chance to walk the talk and prove they’re not just a force to be reckoned with at home but a team capable of holding their own on foreign soil. If the stars align and the players rise to the occasion, this could be the start of a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s white-ball journey.
