Follow UsDespite the sudden and tragic loss of his father during the group stage clash against Afghanistan on September 18 (Thursday), all-rounder Dunith Wellalage will be available for selection for the Super Four stage of the competition, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed in a statement on September 19 (Friday).
Wellalage, 22, was in the midst of the decisive clash against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi when his father Suranga Wellalage died of a heart attack. Wellalage only learned of his father's death after the match, and he left for Sri Lanka immediately after the contest, which the Lankans won by six wickets.
“Dunith Wellalage, who returned home to pay his last respects to his late father, will rejoin the team tomorrow morning,” SLC confirmed in a statement today.
“He will travel to the UAE tonight accompanied by Team Manager Mahinda Halangode.”
The Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2025 kicks off tomorrow, and the first match will see Sri Lanka take on Bangladesh in Dubai. Sri Lanka have already beaten Bangladesh once in Asia Cup 2025, and are unbeaten in the tournament so far, having won all their three matches.
Wellalage only played the Afghanistan clash, but the youngster had a game to forget, conceding 1/49 off the 4 overs he bowled. He was taken apart for 32 runs in the final over of Afghanistan’s innings.