Dunith Wellalage plays vs BAN just 2 days after father’s death, Sri Lanka wear black armbands in tribute
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Sri Lankan cricketer Dunith Wellalage got through the toughest phase of his life amid the Asia Cup 2025. During the match against Afghanistan, the young spinner's father passed away back in his country. However, the young lad came back stronger, as he returned to continue for the Lankans in the Super-4 stage games.
Sportsmen who represent their nation at the biggest international platform are no less than soldiers who battled on the borders, and Lankan cricketer Dunith Wellalage is just an ideal example of the statement. The dedication and determination shown by the young spinner have increased his esteem as a cricketer.
Sri Lanka is through to the Super-4 stage with a win over Afghanistan from Group B and is currently featuring in their first Super-4 game against Bangladesh.
Dunith Wellalage fights the biggest crisis amid the Asia Cup campaign
While playing the match against Afghanistan just a few days back, Dunith Wellalage's father passed away after suffering from a sudden heart attack. Just after the completion of the match, the 21-year-old youngster flew back to his home.
Dunith's father, Suranga Wellalage, was a respected cricketer in Sri Lanka, as he had captained one of Sri Lanka's leading school teams. The former player had skippered Prince of Wales College at a time when great Sri Lankan cricketers like Russel Arnold captained the other college teams.
The star flew to attend the last rites of his deceased father and also received support from the Lankan coach Sanath Jayasuriya. The funeral took place just a day ago, yesterday, on the 19th of September.
Teams and Fans honour Wellalage's Father with a minute of silence
Despite facing one of the biggest tragedies of his life, the Lankan lad, who is just 21 years old, gathered courage and showed immense grit to fly back to the UAE in order to star in the Asia Cup 2025 Super-4 matches for Sri Lanka.
A turbulent 48 hours in the life of the rising cricketer, but he handled it with utmost composure and has hence acquired praise for his determination. Wellalage’s commitment to his national side even earned him praise from former Sri Lanka cricketer Russel Arnold.
A minute's silence was also observed ahead of the start of the match in honour of the late Suranga Wellalage, as all the players and fans from both teams paid their tributes to the cricketer's father. Also, the players were donning black armbands.
Sri Lanka Team Tribute
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 20, 2025
Sri Lankan players are wearing black armbands during today’s game in honor of Dunith Wellalage’s late father.
A one-minute silence was observed before the national anthems as a mark of respect.#SriLankaCricket #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/imyLOg2GCz
Dunith Wellalage got emotional when a minute of silence was observed in the stadium for his father, who sadly passed away on Thursday.#Dubai #Cricket #DunithWellalage #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/brUyBwqqmO
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) September 20, 2025
Sri Lanka bat first in opening Super-4 contest
Sri Lanka is taking on Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the 13th Match of the Asia Cup 2025. The Bangladesh skipper Litton Das won the toss and opted to field against the former champions.
Having been sent in to bat first, the Lankans struggled initially, with runs coming at a very slow rate. In 14 overs, the Sri Lankans could not even go past the score of a hundred. However, then came the skipper, Charith Asalanka, alongside the former skipper, Dasun Shanaka.
The duo went on to score runs at a quick rate. Shanaka, as the set batter, kept accelerating while the skipper was in full support of his experienced campaigner. In no time, Dasun Shanaka got to his fifty, and Sri Lanka went past 150 within just 18 overs of the game.
The duo scored 50+ runs in the four overs and continued the onslaught until Litton Das knocked off the bails to dismiss the Lankan skipper, who was well short of his crease. At the time of writing, the Lankans were 154/5 with 11 balls remaining.
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