**Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage Loses Father During Asia Cup Match**
*By Rajdeep Saha | September 19, 2025, 02:25 AM*
Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage faced a heartbreaking personal loss on Thursday, September 18, when his father, Suranga Wellalage, passed away due to a heart attack. The devastating news reached Dunith while he was representing Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup 2025 group-stage match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Dunith was informed about his father’s death shortly after the match, which Sri Lanka won by six wickets with eight balls to spare.
**Confirmation and Reactions**
Former cricketer and broadcaster Russell Arnold confirmed the news of Suranga Wellalage’s demise on air following Sri Lanka’s victory against Afghanistan. Sri Lankan media reports stated that Dunith was told about his father’s passing soon after the team’s successful chase of 170 runs.
A photo shared by journalist Damith Weerasinghe captured the moment when the team manager comforted a visibly shaken Dunith, putting an arm around him in support.
**Remembering Suranga Wellalage**
Suranga was remembered as a talented cricketer who had captained one of Sri Lanka’s leading school teams, Prince of Wales College, during the time Russell Arnold himself was captain at St Peter’s College. His passing brings a somber shadow over Dunith’s participation in the remainder of the Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka is scheduled to play three more matches in the tournament: against Bangladesh on September 20, Pakistan on September 23, and India on September 26.
**Dunith Wellalage’s Cricketing Career**
Thursday’s game against Afghanistan marked only Dunith’s fifth T20 International and his first appearance in this Asia Cup edition. He currently holds 7 T20I wickets at an average of 20. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Dunith has played 31 matches with notable statistics, including best bowling figures of 5 for 27 during the third ODI against India in Colombo in August 2024. Overall, he has taken 39 wickets in ODIs at an average of 29.10.
During the 2023 Asia Cup (ODI format), he also impressed with a five-wicket haul (5 for 40) against India. Additionally, Dunith has appeared in one Test match, although he did not claim any wickets.
**Performance Against Afghanistan**
In the match versus Afghanistan, Dunith bowled the 20th over but conceded 32 runs. Afghanistan was struggling at 114 for 7 in the 17th over when Rashid Khan was dismissed, and they reached 137 for 7 after 19 overs.
However, Mohammad Nabi launched an explosive final over, dispatching Wellalage for five sixes. The last over yielded an enormous 32 runs, including a no-ball and a single off the last delivery, allowing Afghanistan to reach a total of 169 for 8. Despite the expensive last over, Dunith bowled well throughout, finishing with figures of 1 wicket for 49 runs in his 4 overs.
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The tragic loss of his father is a significant emotional challenge for Dunith Wellalage as he continues to represent Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup. The cricketing community stands in support of him during this difficult time.
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