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Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage’s father, Suranga Wellalage, died in Colombo, reportedly due to a heart attack.
The 22-year-old is currently in Sri Lanka in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in the United Arab Emirates. Dunith was playing the match against Afghanistan when he heard the news of his father’s passing.
Surranga Wellalage was also a former cricketer who had led Sri Lanka’s leading school teams.
Former cricketer and broadcaster Russell Arnold announced the news on air following Sri Lanka’s victory over Afghanistan in their last group-stage match on Thursday.
“Dunith Wellalage’s father, Suranga, passed away just a while ago. He played a bit of cricket too. You know how big our school cricket scene is. He captained Prince of Wales College when I captained my school, St Peter’s,” Arnold said while commentating.
“Quite sad to hear that. The news has been broken to Dunith just a while ago. And our condolences with the family. The celebrations will be muted. The team is a tight place, the dressing room. Hopefully, this bonds them and helps them go on and do well in the Super 4 stage,” he added.
Dunith Wellalage is considered one of Sri Lanka’s emerging talents. However, he did not have the best of the outings in the game against Afghanistan. He remained expensive and conceded 49 runs and took one wicket in his quota of four overs.
Afghanistan were reeling at 137-7 in 19 overs. However, Mohammad Nabi tonked Wellalage for five sixes, an over yielding 32 runs, and brought Afghanistan to a respectable total.
However, it was not enough as Sri Lanka chased down the target against a strong Afghanistan bowling lineup with ease in 18.4 overs, losing just four wickets in the process.
Kusal Mendis anchored the innings with 74* off 52 balls, striking 10 fours, while Kamindu Mendis chipped in with 26 off 13 with the aid of two sixes.
Mendi remained pivotal in the victory as he forged string of partnerships to propel Sri Lanka into a winning position.
The victory marked the end of the Afghanistan’s journey in the Asia Cup 2025, with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh advancing to the Super Fours.
