**Sri Lanka All-Rounder Dunith Wellalage Mourns Father’s Passing Amid Asia Cup 2025**
Sri Lanka all-rounder Dunith Wellalage faced a personal tragedy on Thursday, September 18, when his father, Suranga Wellalage, passed away due to a heart attack. The cricketer was informed about his father’s demise by Sri Lanka coach Sanath Jayasuriya and the team manager immediately after the match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. The team manager was seen consoling Dunith, placing an arm around him during this difficult moment.
Suranga Wellalage was a respected figure in Sri Lankan cricket circles. Former Sri Lanka cricketer Russel Arnold recalled that Suranga had been a captain of one of Sri Lanka’s leading school teams. Arnold, a former all-rounder himself, noted that Suranga skippered Prince of Wales College at the same time Arnold captained St Peter’s College, highlighting the esteem in which Suranga was held.
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**Mohammad Nabi Offers Condolences**
Following the match, Afghanistan’s former captain Mohammad Nabi expressed his sympathies to Dunith Wellalage with an emotional message 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.”*
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**Sri Lanka Knocks Out Afghanistan to Reach Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 Stage**
Despite the somber news, the Sri Lankan team confirmed their place in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025 after chasing down Afghanistan’s total of 170 runs in the 19th over. Kusal Mendis played a vital unbeaten innings, scoring 74 runs, while Kamindu Mendis contributed a quickfire 28 runs.
Afghanistan, batting first, appeared to be in trouble early after being reduced to 120 for seven by the 18th over. However, veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi staged a stunning counterattack. Nabi launched a fierce assault on Dunith Wellalage, smashing him for five sixes. Nabi scored 19 runs off the 19th over and continued to target the left-arm spinner in the final over, hitting five sixes off Dunith as well.
Dunith conceded 32 runs in that last over, which stands as the second-most runs conceded in a T20 International over by a Sri Lankan bowler—just behind Akila Dananjaya’s 36-run over against Kieron Pollard in 2021.
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**Looking Ahead**
Sri Lanka, the defending Asia Cup T20 champions, will now advance to the Super 4 stage where they will face formidable opponents India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The team will aim to continue their strong performances amid the emotional challenges faced by players like Dunith Wellalage.
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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
