Kusam mendis

ODI World Cup: Sri Lanka white-ball captain Charith Asalanka admitted that it was disappointing to miss out on a Champions Trophy berth but said that the upcoming tour of New Zealand is of utmost priority for them to regain respect on the international stage.

Sri Lanka are scheduled to play three T20Is and as many ODIs before locking horns with the Kiwis in the two-Test series. The first T20I of the white-ball leg will be played in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.

The eight-team Champions Trophy 2025 will be played from February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai but Sri Lanka are not part of the marquee tournament due to their poor outing in last year's ODI World Cup in India.