**Sri Lanka All-Rounder Dunith Wellalage Mourns the Loss of His Father**
Sri Lanka all-rounder Dunith Wellalage faced a personal tragedy on Thursday, September 18, when his father passed away due to a heart attack. The cricketer was informed about his father’s sudden demise immediately after the match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Coach Sanath Jayasuriya and the team manager broke the news to him. In an emotional moment, the team manager was seen consoling Dunith, with his arm around him.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Russel Arnold paid tribute to Dunith’s late father, Suranga Wellalage, recalling that he was a respected cricketer and had captained one of Sri Lanka’s leading school teams. Arnold shared that Suranga had skippered Prince of Wales College at the same time Arnold captained St Peter’s College, highlighting his significant role in school cricket.
**Mohammad Nabi Offers Condolences**
Following the match, Afghanistan’s former skipper Mohammad Nabi extended his heartfelt condolences to Dunith Wellalage and his family through an emotional post on social media. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Nabi wrote:
*“Heartfelt condolences to Dunith Wellalage and his family on the loss of his beloved father. Stay strong Brother.”*
**Sri Lanka Knock Afghanistan Out of Asia Cup 2025**
Despite the personal loss, Dunith Wellalage’s Sri Lankan team performed strongly, confirming their place in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025 after chasing down Afghanistan’s total of 170 in the 19th over. Standout performances included an unbeaten 74 from Kusal Mendis and a brisk 28 from Kamindu Mendis.
Afghanistan, batting first, found themselves in trouble at 120 for seven by the 18th over. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi launched a stunning counterattack, notably smashing Dunith Wellalage for five sixes. Nabi scored 19 runs off the 19th over, then continued to target the left-arm spinner in the final over. In a remarkable display, Nabi hammered five sixes off Dunith in the last over, and Wellalage conceded 32 runs – the second-most runs given away in a T20I over by a Sri Lankan bowler. The record is held by Akila Dananjaya, who gave 36 runs in an over against Kieron Pollard in 2021.
As the defending Asia Cup T20 champions, Sri Lanka will now compete in the Super 4 stage against India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
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*Our thoughts are with Dunith Wellalage and his family during this difficult time.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/asia-cup-2025-sri-lankas-dunith-wellalage-learns-about-fathers-death-after-afghanistan-match-mohammad-nabi-offers-condolences
