Asia Cup: Sri Lanka's Dunith Wellalage returns home after father's sudden death

Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage has returned home from the ongoing Asia Cup following the death of his father, Suranga, on Thursday night, the same day the all-rounder played a Group B league match against Afghanistan.

Wellalage learned of his father’s passing only after the match and left for Colombo on the earliest available flight.

It is currently unclear if the 22-year-old will return for the tournament, where Sri Lanka are scheduled to face Bangladesh in a Super 4 match on Saturday. After that, they will take on Pakistan on September 23 and India on September 26.


“Deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Suranga Wellalage, father of Dunith Wellalage. My heartfelt condolences to the family. Stay strong Dunith, the whole nation stands with you and your family in this difficult time,” wrote former Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga on X.


Veteran Afghanistan cricketer Mohammad Nabi also expressed his condolences, tweeting, “Heartfelt condolences to Dunith Wellalage and his family on the loss of his beloved father. Stay strong brother.”


Wellalage, a left-arm spinner, bowled four overs against Afghanistan, taking the wicket of Ibrahim Zadran for 49 runs. This was the fifth T20I of his career.

Sri Lanka won the match by six wickets, with wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis scoring an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls.