Sri Lanka Spinner Dunith Wellalage Loses Father to Heart Attack; Participation in Remainder of Asia Cup 2025 Uncertain

Sri Lanka spinner Dunith Wellalage lost his father, Suranga Wellalage, who passed away from a heart attack on Thursday, September 18. Dunith was playing for Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup 2025 group match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi when he received the sad news.

Former cricketer and commentator Russell Arnold shared the update on air after Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan in their last group match. Reports from Sri Lankan media said Dunith was informed soon after the team chased down 170 runs later in the evening. A touching photo of the team manager comforting Dunith, with his arm around him, was posted by journalist Damith Weerasinghe.

Russell Arnold remembered Suranga Wellalage as a respected cricketer who once led one of Sri Lanka’s top school teams. Arnold said Suranga was the captain of Prince of Wales College during the same time he himself was leading St Peter’s College.

The moment when Sri Lanka’s coach Sanath Jayasuriya and Team manager informed Dunith Wellallage about the demise of his father right after the match. Dunith’s father passed away due to a sudden heart attack. He was 54.🥲
video credits- Dhanushka pic.twitter.com/P01nFFWlVW

— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) September 18, 2025

It was a very emotional moment for the Sri Lankan team, as the news came right after they secured their spot in the Super 4 stage. Sri Lanka had defeated Afghanistan by chasing down 170 runs in the 19th over. Kusal Mendis stayed unbeaten with 74 runs, while Kamindu Mendis added a quick 28.

Afghanistan once again struggled with the bat and were in trouble at 120 for seven by the 18th over looking set for a low score. But experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi changed the game with a powerful fightback. He was dropped on just five runs by Dunith Wellalage and made full use of the chance. Nabi smashed 19 runs in the 19th over and then went after the left-arm spinner in the final over. He hit five sixes off Dunith, who gave away 32 runs in that over, the second-most runs conceded by a Sri Lankan bowler in T20Is, only behind Akila Dananjaya’s 36-run over against Kieron Pollard in 2021.

Dunith Wellalage’s Availability in Doubt After Father’s Passing

With this result, Sri Lanka, the defending Asia Cup T20 champions will now meet India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the Super 4 stage. Wellalage’s place in the ongoing ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 is uncertain after he rushed back home on Thursday following the sudden passing of his father, Suranga Wellalage. His absence could hurt Sri Lanka as they are set to play Bangladesh on September 20, Pakistan on September 23 and India on September 26 in the Super Four stage.

The young left-arm spinner was playing his first Asia Cup T20 but is already well known in ODIs. He has two five-wicket hauls against India to his name, 5 for 27 in Colombo in August 2024 and 5 for 40 in the 2023 Asia Cup.

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