Heartbreaking moment cricket star is informed of father’s passing during Asia Cup match - Fox Sports

Sri Lankan spinner Dunith Wellalage was reportedly informed of his father’s death immediately following Thursday’s Asia Cup match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Suranga Wellalage passed away from a heart attack in Colombo on Thursday, with reports suggesting his 22-year-old son wasn’t aware of the tragedy until a team manager conveyed the news to him following post-match formalities at Zayed Cricket Stadium. Footage has emerged of Sri Lanka’s team manager and head coach Sanath Jayasuriya consoling Dunith near the boundary rope, with the bereavement has casts doubt over Wellalage’s further involvement in the T20 tournament. Watch every game of the 2025 Asia Cup exclusively LIVE on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 > “Dunith Wellalage’s father, Suranga, passed away just a while ago,” former Sri Lankan batter Russel Arnold said on the broadcast following the match. “Quite sad to hear that. The news has been broken to Dunith just a while ago. And our condolences with 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.” Sri Lanka Team Manager, right after the match was over, communicated to Dunith that his father, Suranga Wellalage, had passed away due to a sudden heart attack in Colombo. What a tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dunith and his family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/JsPqDLXEP2— Damith Weerasinghe (@Damith1994) September 18, 2025 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. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.🙏— Lasith Malinga (@malinga_ninety9) September 18, 2025 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 Earlier, Sri Lanka chased down a daunting target of 170 with six wickets in hand to knock Afghanistan out of the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka wrapped up their Group B fixtures unbeaten, with the former champions getting home with eight deliveries to spare. Having topped the group, Sri Lanka marched into the second round, with Bangladesh joining them as the other qualifier. It was quick Nuwan Thushara who set the tone, rattling through the Afghan top order with four wickets. Then it was wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis who stole the limelight in the chase, crafting an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls with 10 boundaries. Opening the innings, Mendis dropped anchor against Afghanistan’s much-vaunted four-pronged spin attack. He later shifted gears in a blistering 52-run stand off just 23 balls for the fifth wicket with his namesake Kamindu Mendis. Sri Lanka had their noses in front from the moment Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first. Thushara struck twice in his second over, eventually finishing with four for 18. At 7-137 heading into the final over, Afghanistan looked dead and buried, but veteran Mohammad Nabi turned the script on its head. The all-rounder bludgeoned 32 runs off the last over, lifting his side to a fighting 169 for eight. Wellalage, playing his first T20I since November last year, dropped Nabi on 5, a mistake that cost dearly. Thrown the ball for the final over, the left-arm spinner was carted for five sixes, conceding the second-most expensive over by a Sri Lankan in T20I history. Nabi finished with a whirlwind 60 off 22 balls, peppered with three fours and six sixes, his half-century equalling the record for the quickest by an Afghan batter.