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New Delhi: Sri Lanka spinner Dunith Wellalage is set to rejoin his team after attending hos late father Suranga's funeral. Dunith's father passed away during Sri Lanka's last Asia Cup group fixture against Afghanistan on Thursday and the player was informed about the demise after the game ended. Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan to storm into Super 4 stage but for Dunith, the celebration converted into sadness.
Sri Lankan team manager and head coach Sanath Jayasuriya were seen consoling the younger player after their side's victory. The photograph of the same was widely shared on social media where the bowler could clearly be seen in tears. The spinner flew back to Colombo to attend his father's funeral and will now rejoin the team ahead of their Super 4 clash against Bangladesh on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka cricket took to social media handle X to inform about the demise of Dunith's father who passed away after suffering a heart attack.
'Dunith Wellalage, who returned home to pay his last respects to his late father, will rejoin the team tomorrow morning. He will travel to the UAE tonight accompanied by Team Manager Mahinda Halangode. Sri Lanka will begin its Super Four stage campaign of the ongoing tournament tomorrow against Bangladesh in the UAE. Wellalage will be available for selection for the game,' wrote Sri Lanka cricket in a post on X.
Former Lankan cricketer Russell Arnold recalled that Dunith's late father was a well-known cricketer who had captained one of Sri Lanka’s leading school teams. Former explosive batter and current coach Jayasuriya also expressed condolences to Welllage and assured him that he has the support of the entire country.
Meanwhile, the left-arm spinner did not have a memorable outing against Afghanistan as he was smashed for five consecutive sixes by Mohammad Nabi in the last over of the first innings, finishing with figures of 1/49 in four overs.
