The opening T20 International between New Zealand and Sri Lanka gets underway later on Sunday at Pelekelle.
The Blackcaps have rested skipper Kane Williamson and fast bowler Trent Boult for the series.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will be looking for a change in fortune after losing eight of their last nine T20 games
Play starts at 5:30 pm UAE time.
Iran continuing World Cup preparations but will not play in US, says football president
The Iranian national team are continuing to prepare for the World Cup finals and have no intention of pulling out of the tournament even if they will not travel to the United States, Iran FA President Mehdi Taj said on Wednesday.
Buttler hopeful of England return despite T20 World Cup struggles
Former England captain Jos Buttler said he still wants to play for the national side after taking a break from cricket in the wake of their semi-final exit from the Twenty20 World Cup.
Messi scores 900th career goal, joins Ronaldo in elite club
Lionel Messi scored his 900th career goal on Wednesday to become the second player to reach the mark in elite men's football after Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bayern, Liverpool and Atletico join Barca in Champions League quarters
The second-leg matches of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 concluded on Wednesday with four high-scoring fixtures, as Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona secured qualification for the quarter-finals.
Barcelona hit seven past Newcastle to roar into Champions League quarters
Barcelona stormed into the Champions League quarter-finals with a thumping 7-2 victory over Newcastle United at Camp Nou on Wednesday, sealing an emphatic 8-3 aggregate triumph in a compelling round-of-16 tie.
