Wellalage returns home after father's sudden death

Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage was celebrating a team victory in Abu Dhabi during the Asia Cup when he was struck by the most devastating news of his life; sudden passing of his father, Suranga Wellalage, due to a heart attack.

Immediately after receiving the news, Wellalage boarded a flight to Sri Lanka late last night to attend his father's funeral. 

Requesting leave to be with his grieving family, he appealed to Sri Lanka Cricket, which promptly granted his request.

Wellalage had been included in playing XI against Afghanistan, replacing Maheesh Theekshana. 

While his early overs were steady, conceding 17 runs in three overs, the match took a sharp turn in final over of the innings. 

Bowling the last over, Wellalage was hit for 31 runs by Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi, with the over totaling 32 runs; a pivotal moment in the game.

According to Lankan sports outlet Lankasara, 54-year-old Suranga Wellalage was watching the match at the time. 

Reportedly overwhelmed by stress during his son's difficult final over, he began experiencing severe chest pain. He was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved.

Suranga Wellalage, a former cricketer himself, had played a crucial role in shaping Dunith’s cricketing career. 

His untimely death has cast a pall over Sri Lanka’s cricketing community. 

Several figures in the cricket world, including former Sri Lankan captain Lasith Malinga, Bangladesh captain Litton Das and Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, have offered their condolences to Wellalage during this difficult time.

SH