Sri Lanka’s young 22-year old 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.
Coach Sanath Jayasuriya and team manager had informed Wellalage about the death of his father Suranga Wellalage. Jayasuriya was also seen consoling the 22-year old spinner as the manager took him away from the field. Now, a video has surfaced where the reporters told this news to Mohammad Nabi who smashed five sixes in Dunith Wellalage's over. Hearing about the news, Nabi was left shell-shocked and he expressed his condolences.
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The conversation between Mohammad Nabi and the reporters went like:
Reporter: Dunith Wellalage's father passed away
Mohammad Nabi: Father? How?
Reporter: from a heart attack, just after the match.
Mohammad Nabi: Really?
Reporter: the news came in middle of the match but Dunith was told after the match was over.
Mohammad Nabi (in disbelief): Heart attack?
Reporter: yes.
In the match, despite Sri Lanka's win Dunith Wellalage had a bad day as he conceded 49 runs in four overs and Mohammad Nabi smashed five sixes in the final over where Dunith conceded runs. He could only pick one wicket as he dismissed Ibrahim Zadran for in the 13th over.