Abu Dhabi: For Sri Lanka’s 22-year-old left-arm spinner Dunith Nethmika Wellalage, Thursday’s victory against Afghanistan turned out to be short-lived joy. Just as he was returning with his teammates after the win, he received heartbreaking news right on the ground. Coach Sanath Jayasuriya informed him that his father had passed away.
On Thursday, Sri Lanka (171/4 in 18.4 overs) defeated Afghanistan (169/8 in 20 overs) by six wickets. With this, Sri Lanka, along with Bangladesh, entered the Super Four round from Group ‘B’, while Afghanistan was knocked out of the tournament. Nuwan Thushara took four wickets for just 18 runs, but it was Kusal Mendis (unbeaten 74), who opened and stayed till the end, who received the Man of the Match award.
Wellalage was aware that his father had been unwell, but during the match, the team manager received news from Sri Lanka about his death. Neither Jayasuriya nor the manager informed him during the match, so that he could remain focused on helping Sri Lanka secure victory.
After the win, before the players reached the dressing room, Wellalage was told the tragic news on the ground itself. He broke down in tears, and Jayasuriya, the manager, and his teammates consoled him. Wellalage left for Colombo on the very first flight from the UAE. Sri Lanka still has two to three matches left in the tournament, but it is uncertain whether Wellalage will return to play again.
Sri Lanka’s next match is on Saturday, September 20, against Bangladesh. On Sunday, September 21, India and Pakistan will clash again in Dubai.
Thursday also turned out to be unlucky for Wellalage in another way
The spinner took the wicket of Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran (24 runs), but later his bowling proved very costly. He was given the 20th over of Afghanistan’s innings, in which Mohammad Nabi smashed him for five sixes in five balls (6, 6, 6, 1 no-ball, 6, 6). That over yielded 32 runs in total. Nabi, on 60 runs, was run out on the final delivery.
Wellalage’s best performance has been against India
Wellalage has played 37 international matches for Sri Lanka, taking a total of 46 wickets. He has claimed five wickets twice in ODIs – and on both occasions, those feats came against India.
-
-
-
-
