Overview

• Sri Lanka management informed Wellalage after the six-wicket victory over Afghanistan that his father, Suranga, had died of a heart attack at 54 while watching the match in Colombo.
• Head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and the team manager were seen consoling the spinner on the field, and commentator Russell Arnold confirmed the news on air.
• Wellalage left the UAE on the earliest flight to Colombo, with Sri Lanka Cricket offering support as teammates and rivals, including Mohammad Nabi and Lasith Malinga, posted condolences.
• In the match, Wellalage conceded 49 runs in four overs, including five sixes to Nabi in the final over, as Sri Lanka topped Group B to reach the Super Four.
• Outlets report differing expectations on his return, with some indicating he could rejoin later in the tournament and others suggesting he will likely miss the Bangladesh game, and no replacement has been announced.