NEW DELHI: In a heartbreaking turn of events, Sri Lankan spinner Dunith Wellalage learned of his father’s sudden demise only after helping his team secure a six-wicket win over Afghanistan in the Asia Cup Group B clash in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, September 18.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The 22-year-old spinner was unaware that his father, Suranga Wellalage, had passed away earlier in Colombo while he was on the field. According to reports, the tragic news was conveyed to him by Sri Lanka’s team manager moments after the post-match formalities concluded. Wellalage immediately left the squad to return home and be with his family.The young cricketer’s grief adds a somber note to what was otherwise a crucial victory for Sri Lanka, who advanced to the Super Four stage unbeaten. This development, however, throws uncertainty over Wellalage’s further participation in the tournament, with Sri Lanka scheduled to face Bangladesh on September 20, Pakistan on September 23, and India on September 26.
Thursday’s match was Wellalage’s fifth T20 international and his first of the 2025 Asia Cup. Though he struggled with the ball — conceding 49 runs in his four overs, including five sixes in the final over to a rampaging Mohammed Nabi — his teammates rallied to script a successful chase. Kusal Mendis’s unbeaten 74 and Kamindu Mendis’s late cameo ensured Sri Lanka crossed the target of 170 with eight balls to spare.Wellalage has already built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s brightest young prospects, with standout ODI spells against India, including his career-best 5/27 last month in Colombo. But Thursday’s triumph will forever be bittersweet for the youngster, who went from celebrating a team win to facing personal tragedy in the space of minutes.For now, the cricketing world extends its condolences to Dunith Wellalage and his family during this difficult time.
