Key Points
- Dunith Wellalage was informed of his father Suranga Wellalage’s, sudden death after the match.
- Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi, who hit five sixes to Wellalage, expressed shock and condolences upon hearing the tragic news outside the stadium.
ISLAMABAD: A night of cricket turned into a night of sorrow at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, as Sri Lanka’s victory over Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2025 was followed by the tragic news of the death of Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage’s father, Suranga Wellalage.
Wellalage has left the Lankan Squad for Colombo to participate in his father’s last rites and is unlikely to re-join the team in the remaining fixtures of the Asia Cup.
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
Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by six wickets to qualify for the Super Four stage of the tournament. The result also confirmed Bangladesh’s place in the next round, while Afghanistan were knocked out.
But the joy of winning quickly faded when Dunith Wellalage, the 22-year-old Sri Lankan all-rounder, was informed after the match that his father, Suranga Wellalage, had passed away. Suranga was a respected former cricketer who once captained Prince of Wales College during the same time Russell Arnold led St. Peter’s College.
As celebrations were beginning in the Sri Lankan dressing room, they were replaced by silence. Head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and captain Charith Asalanka were seen comforting a stunned and emotional Wellalage, who quietly left the stadium to fly home to Colombo for his father’s funeral.
Moments when journalists informed Mohammad Nabi about the passing and sudden heart attack of Wellalage’s father.
Deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time.#AFGvSL #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/H80JGdUnuW— Bashir Gharwal غروال (@bashir_gharwall) September 18, 2025
Outside the stadium, Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi had just exited after a disappointing loss that ended his team’s tournament. When told the news by journalists, he stopped in shock. “Father? How? Heart attack? Really? I am sorry,” Nabi said with a stunned expression, offering his condolences.
Earlier in the evening, Afghanistan had chosen to bat first, but their innings never got going. They were reduced to 79/6 before Nabi’s powerful knock of 60 from 22 balls, including five sixes in a row to Wellalage, helped them post 146/7.
Heartfelt condolences to Dunith Wellalage and his family on the loss of his beloved father.
Stay strong Brother pic.twitter.com/d6YF2BhlnV— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) September 18, 2025
In response, Sri Lanka chased down the target with ease. Kusal Mendis scored an unbeaten 74, guiding the team to victory with eight balls to spare. Kamindu Mendis added a quick 26* to finish the job.
Sri Lanka will now face Bangladesh on September 20 in Dubai. They are also set to play Pakistan on September 23 and India on September 26. But it remains unclear whether Wellalage will return to the squad for the remaining matches.
Thursday’s match was Wellalage’s first appearance in this year’s tournament and his fifth T20 International overall. Despite his young age, he has already made a mark in ODI cricket, especially with his performances against India in 2023 and 2024.
But numbers and records fade in moments like this. For Wellalage, this match will not be remembered for the cricket, but for the painful loss of his father, the man who likely inspired his journey into the game.
