Cricket World Mourns: Dunith Wellalage's Father Dies During Asia Cup Match Against Afghanistan
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Cricket World Mourns: Dunith Wellalage’s Father Dies During Asia Cup Match Against Afghanistan

September 19, 2025
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Dunith Wellalage’s father dies during Asia Cup match against Afghanistan. Sri Lanka star learns tragic news after victory. Coach Sanath Jayasuriya breaks heartbreaking news.

Cricket World Mourns: Dunith Wellalage’s Father Dies During Asia Cup Match Against Afghanistan

The cricket world stands united in grief today as Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage faces the most devastating moment of his young career. His father, Suranga Wellalage, tragically passed away from a heart attack during Thursday’s crucial Asia Cup 2025 match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The Heartbreaking Moment That Changed Everything

The 22-year-old spinner played through the entire match unaware of the tragedy unfolding at home. Sri Lanka secured a vital six-wicket victory with eight balls remaining, advancing to the Super Four stage of the tournament. However, the celebrations quickly turned somber when coach Sanath Jayasuriya delivered the devastating news to Wellalage immediately after the match concluded.

A heart-wrenching video has surfaced on social media showing the exact moment Jayasuriya broke the tragic news to the young cricketer. The footage captures the Sri Lankan coach placing a consoling hand on Wellalage’s shoulder, providing comfort during the most difficult moment of the player’s life. The scene perfectly illustrates the tight-knit bond that exists within the Sri Lankan cricket family.

A Father’s Cricket Legacy Lives On

Suranga Wellalage was more than just a cricket father watching from the sidelines. He had his own distinguished cricket background, having captained Prince of Wales College during his school days. Former Sri Lankan cricketer Russel Arnold, who was commentating for Sony Sports Network, revealed this connection during the broadcast.

“Dunith Wellalage’s father, Suranga, passed away just a while ago. He played a bit of cricket too. You know how big our school cricket scene is. He captained Prince of Wales College when I captained my school, St Peter’s,” Arnold shared with viewers, his voice heavy with emotion.

Arnold continued, “Quite sad to hear that. The news was broken to Dunith just a while ago. And our condolences to the family. The celebrations will be muted. The team is a tight place, the dressing room. Hopefully, this bonds them and helps them go on and do well in the Super 4 stage.”

The Match That Will Forever Be Remembered

Thursday’s Asia Cup Group B encounter held special significance as Sri Lanka’s final group match. The team needed this victory to advance to the Super Four stage, making the match crucial for their tournament hopes. Wellalage bowled his four overs, conceding 49 runs and taking one wicket, though he faced a particularly challenging over against Afghanistan veteran Mohammad Nabi.

Nabi unleashed a spectacular assault on Wellalage’s bowling, smashing five sixes in a single over during his explosive innings of 60 runs from just 22 balls. The Afghan all-rounder’s performance nearly turned the match in Afghanistan’s favor, but Sri Lanka’s batting depth proved decisive in securing the victory.

Mohammad Nabi’s Touching Response

The cricket fraternity’s respect and compassion shone through when Mohammad Nabi learned about the tragedy after the match. Journalists informed the Afghanistan all-rounder about Suranga Wellalage’s passing outside the venue, and his shocked reaction demonstrated the sport’s unifying power beyond national boundaries.

The conversation between Nabi and reporters captured the genuine concern and empathy that exists between competing cricketers:

Reporter: “Dunith Wellalage’s father passed away.”

Nabi: “Father? How?”

Reporter: “Heart attack. Just after the match.”

Nabi: “Really?”

Reporter: “The news came in the middle of the match. But he was told after the match was over.”

Nabi’s worried expression and immediate offer of condolences highlighted how cricket creates bonds that transcend competition and national rivalries.

A Rising Star’s Journey Put on Hold

Dunith Wellalage’s cricket career has shown tremendous promise since his international debut. The talented all-rounder has represented Sri Lanka in 31 ODIs and 5 T20Is, establishing himself as a key player for the future. His career-best bowling figures of 5 for 27 came against India in Colombo during August 2024, while he also claimed impressive figures of 5 for 40 against India during the 2023 Asia Cup.

The 2023 Asia Cup proved particularly memorable for Wellalage, where he emerged as the tournament’s equal-second highest wicket-taker with 10 dismissals at an average of 17.90. These performances established him as one of Sri Lanka’s most promising young talents, making his current situation even more poignant.

The Difficult Decision: Family vs. Tournament

Following the tragic news, Wellalage immediately flew back to Sri Lanka to be with his family during this difficult time. His departure raises serious questions about Sri Lanka’s bowling options for the remaining Asia Cup matches. The team faces a challenging Super Four schedule with matches against Bangladesh on September 20, Pakistan on September 23, and India on September 26.

The Sri Lankan cricket board and team management now face the delicate task of supporting their young player while managing tournament expectations. Cricket, despite its importance, pales in comparison to family obligations during such devastating circumstances.

The Cricket Family’s Support System

The incident has highlighted cricket’s unique ability to create extended family bonds among players, coaches, and officials. Sanath Jayasuriya’s immediate response to comfort Wellalage demonstrates the paternal role that coaches often play in young players’ lives. The team manager’s quick action to escort the grieving player away from the cameras showed the organization’s commitment to protecting their players during vulnerable moments.

 

 

Dunith Wellalage
Dunith Wellalage
Dunith Wellalage
Dunith Wellalage

 

Looking Ahead: Healing and Return

While Sri Lanka celebrates their advancement to the Asia Cup Super Four stage, the team understands that their young teammate faces a much more significant challenge. The cricket community’s support will prove crucial as Wellalage navigates this difficult period and eventually considers his return to international cricket.

The timing of this tragedy serves as a stark reminder that athletes are human beings first, dealing with the same life challenges and losses as everyone else. Wellalage’s strength in completing the match without knowledge of his father’s condition speaks to his professionalism, while his immediate departure afterward shows his priorities remain firmly grounded in family values.

 Cricket United in Grief

As the Asia Cup 2025 continues, the cricket world stands united in supporting Dunith Wellalage during this incredibly difficult time. His father’s legacy as a former school cricket captain adds another layer of poignancy to this tragedy, representing a family deeply connected to the sport that has given them both joy and now profound sorrow.

The heartbreaking video of Sanath Jayasuriya breaking the news will forever remind us that behind every cricket statistic and match result are real people facing real challenges. Today, the cricket community mourns with Dunith Wellalage, honoring both his father’s memory and the young cricketer’s courage in the face of unimaginable loss.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Wellalage family during this devastating time. May Suranga Wellalage’s cricket legacy continue to inspire through his son’s future achievements on the field.