Sri Lanka brought back veteran paceman Lasith Malinga as captain for the limited-over squads for the tour of New Zealand.

Sri Lanka Cricket named the 35-year-old pacer as captain of the 17-member squad for three ODIs and one T20, with the series starting on January 3.

Malinga led Sri Lanka at 2014 World T20. But since captaining Sri Lanka against the UAE in February 2016, he has not led the national team.

Malinga lost his captaincy as well as his place in the team after injuries kept him away from the field.

Chandimal was the ODI captain for the recent England series at home after Angelo Mathews lost the captaincy. However, new chief selector Ashantha de Mel was critical of Chandimal’s captaincy in all formats, telling the Sunday Observer: “Chandimal, every time he wants to make a change he is looking at the dressing room. As captain he should be able to stand on his feet and take a decision.”

Mathews was unceremoniously axed from the limited overs sides due to concerns over fitness and running between the wickets. He returns to the squad.

Sri Lanka squad: Lasith Malinga (c), Niroshan Dickwella (v-c), Angelo Mathews, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Asela Gunaratne, Kusal Mendis,Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Lakshan Sandakan, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Pradeep and Lahiru Kumara