Asia Cup 2025: Dunith Wellalage learns of father’s death after Sri Lanka beats Afghanistan; video surfaces

Amid the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, 22-year-old Sri Lankan spinner Dunith Wellalage learned about his father's sudden death only after leading his team to a six-wicket victory against Afghanistan in a Group B clash in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, reported Times of India.

The report added Dunith didn't know that his father, Suranga Wellalage, passed away in Colombo on Thursday while he was on the field.

He was conveyed the tragic news by Sri Lanka's team manager moments after the conclusion of post-match formalities. Following this, Wellalage immediately left the squad to return home and be with his family.

Wellalage has returned home from the on-going Asia Cup after his father, Suranga, passed away on Thursday night, the same day when the all-rounder was playing a Group B league match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.

Though the Sri Lankan team won the match and advanced to the Super Four stage, it is now uncertain if Wellalage will continue to participate in the tournament. Sri Lanka is set to face Bangladesh on September 20, Pakistan on September 23, and India on September 26.

According to the details, it was Wellalage's fifth T20 international match and his first of the Asia Cup 2025. His stats states that he has 31 ODIs, with two five-wicket hauls against India, one during the 2023 Asia Cup, the ODI edition. He claimed 10 wickets in that tournament, joint-second-best, at an average of 17.90.

He has 39 wickets in ODIs, seven in T20Is and has played some crucial knocks with the bat in ODIs, with 386 runs in 24 innings at an average of 20.31 and a fifty.

Against Afghanistan, Wellalage picked 1/49 in four overs and conceding five sixes by Mohammed Nabi and 32 runs in total during his final over.

SL Vs Afghanistan:

After winning the toss, Afghanistan scored 169/7 in their 20 overs, all thanks to an experienced Mohammed Nabi (60* in 22 balls, with three fours and six sixes), five sixes in the final over against Dunith Wellalage.

Ibrahim Zadran (24 in 27 balls, with a six) and skipper Rashid Khan (24 in 23 balls, with two fours and a six) contributed too.

For SL, Nuwan Thusara picked 4/18 in four overs.

In the run chase, despite losing quick wicket, Sri Lankan players like Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten with 74 runs, while Kushal Parera (28) and Kamindu Mendis scored 26 important runs.

With agency inputs.