Asia Cup 2025: Dunith Wellalage father passes away during AFG vs SL match, coach Sanath Jayasuriya consoles

Sri Lanka’s young spinner Dunith Wellalage endured a personal tragedy in the Asia Cup 2025 when his father, Suranga Wellalage, died of a heart attack on Thursday, September 18. Dunith took the field against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi when the news arrived just after Sri Lanka completed their winning chase.

The tragic news came through from former cricketer-turned-pundit Russell Arnold during the post-match commentary. Local news also reported that officials of the team had informed Dunith of his father’s death following the match, with an image of the team manager comforting him going around in large numbers. Suranga Wellalage, who is recalled as a fine player in his own right, had been captain of Prince of Wales College in the same period when Arnold had captained St. Peter’s College, so the loss was that much more heart-wrenching for Sri Lanka’s cricket family.

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Sanath Jayasuriya and the team manager communicated the tragic news to Wellalage and were seen consoling the young Sri Lanka cricketer.

No son should go through this💔

Jayasuriya & team manager right after the game communicated Dinuth Wellalage the news of his father's passing away.pic.twitter.com/KbmQrHTCju

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) September 18, 2025

The emotional high was just moments after Sri Lanka booked their place in the Super 4 round, six-wicket win against Afghanistan. In pursuit of 170, Kusal Mendis scored a game-winning 74* and Kamindu Mendis chipped in with a 28-ball 28, taking the defending champions home in the 19th over.

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Earlier, Afghanistan had been reduced to 120 for seven, but veteran Mohammad Nabi rescued the side with a staggering rampage. Dropped by Dunith on five, Nabi attacked in the 19th over first before wreaking havoc in the 20th. He creamed five sixes from Wellalage, who leaked 32 runs in the over – the second-most costly in Sri Lanka’s T20I history. Sri Lanka, though, remained resolute and now move on to play India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh in the Super 4s.