Sri Lankan cricketer Dunith Wellalage learns of father’s death after Afghanistan match
Suranga, aged 54, was a cricketer himself. Wellalage was included in the playing XI against Afghanistan in place of Maheesh Theekshana.
Sri Lankan cricketer Dunith Wellalage received the news of his father's death right after the match against Afghanistan. His father, Suranga Wellalage, passed away from a heart attack. The news was confirmed by Sri Lankan media outlet Newswire, while Sri Lankan journalists covering the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi also verified the matter.
Suranga, aged 54, was a cricketer himself. Wellalage was included in the playing XI against Afghanistan in place of Maheesh Theekshana. However, he could not perform well. In his first three overs he conceded 17 runs, but the final over turned disastrous. Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi struck 31 runs off Wellalage in the last over, with a total of 32 runs coming from it.
Chasing a target of 170, Sri Lanka secured a six-wicket victory with eight balls to spare, thanks to Kusal Mendis's unbeaten 74 off 52 balls, which included 10 fours. With this win for Sri Lanka, Bangladesh also advanced to the Super Four.
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