Sri Lanka all-rounder Dunith Wellalage experienced a forgettable outing against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2025 meeting on Thursday but what followed next was even more heartbreaking. The 22-year-old got the news of his father Suranga Wellalage's demise due to a heart attack soon after the clash.
He was informed about the same by head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and the team manager. Visuals emerged online, showing the Lankan coach placing his hand around Dunith's shoulder and consoling him.
As reported by ESPNCricinfo, the player left for home soon after the match. This casts doubts over his further participation in the tournament, with Sri Lanka set to play Bangladesh on September 20, Pakistan on September 23, and India on September 26.
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Meanwhile, Dunith's outing on the pitch didn't go as per plan as he conceded 49 runs and picked a wicket in his full quota of overs. The contest also saw him get hammered for five consecutive sixes by Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammed Nabi, thus resulting in 32 runs in his final over.
This was his fifth T20I and his first match in Asia Cup 2025. He has played 31 ODIs, which include two five-wicket hauls against India, one during the 2023 Asia Cup, the ODI edition. He claimed 10 wickets in that tournament, joint-second-best, at an average of 17.90.
In total he has scalped 39 wickets in ODIs, seven in T20Is. With the bat he has played some crucial knocks in ODIs. He has 386 runs in 24 innings at an average of 20.31, which include a half-century.
Sri Lanka win by six wickets
Coming to the match, after Afghanistan chose to bat first, Thusara's (4/18) powerplay exploits left them reeling at 40/3. Despite supporting roles from Ibrahim Zadran (24 in 27 balls, with a six) and skipper Rashid Khan (24 in 23 balls, with two fours and a six), Afghanistan struggled at 114/7 in 17.1 overs. It was a rampaging assault from an experienced Mohammed Nabi (60* in 22 balls, with three fours and six sixes), five sixes in the final over against Dunith, which eventually powered Afghanistan to 169/7 in their 20 overs.
During the run-chase, Sri Lanka faltered, losing an in-form Pathum Nissanka early. Despite Kusal Mendis looking in phenomenal touch and a knock of 28 runs from Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka found themselves in a tricky spot after being reduced to 119/4 in 14.5 overs. However, Kusal's knock was well paced, scoring 74* in 52 balls with 10 fours. He was joined by Kamindu Mendis (26* in 13 balls, with two sixes). This power-packed 52-run stand took Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win with eight balls left.
-with ANI inputs
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