Return Amid Grief
Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage will rejoin his teammates on Saturday morning ahead of their Super Four clash later in the evening in Dubai. The 22-year-old had rushed home on Thursday night, only hours after Sri Lanka’s win over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, following the sudden death of his father.
Suranga Wellalage, 52, collapsed while watching the game on television at his Moratuwa home. Despite being rushed to hospital, he could not be revived, the victim of a fatal heart attack. A former cricketer with Prince of Wales College and his son’s first coach, Suranga had been a guiding force in Dunith’s career.
A Bitter-Sweet Return to Action
For the young all-rounder, it had been a painful comeback to international cricket, his first since November 2024. Skipper Charith Asalanka trusted him with the final over against the experienced Mohammad Nabi, but it turned into a nightmare. Nabi launched five sixes off him, leaving Wellalage’s figures at 32 runs in an over — the second most expensive by a Sri Lankan in T20Is.
To add to his misery, he had earlier spilled a chance off Nabi when the Afghan veteran was on just five. Moments later, however, Sri Lanka sealed a six-wicket win — a triumph instantly overshadowed by the devastating news that awaited Wellalage.
Shock and Solidarity
Team manager Mahinda Halangoda accompanied Wellalage on the late-night flight to Colombo, while the rest of the squad struggled to come to terms with the tragedy. The victory celebrations were understandably subdued.
The manager came up to me and broke the news. We were shocked. The whole team is gutted and our thoughts and prayers are with him.
Future Leader in the Making
Despite the personal heartbreak and professional setbacks of the past week, Wellalage remains one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting young prospects. A promising left-arm spinner and handy lower-order bat, he captained Sri Lanka Under-19s and is already being tipped as a future senior captain.
Sri Lanka, unbeaten in Group B after victories over Bangladesh and Afghanistan, will now look to rally around Wellalage as they aim to carry their momentum into the Super Four stage. Even the spirited challenge from Hong Kong, who fell just three wickets short, has not shaken the team’s confidence.
