Under the leadership of Charith Asanka, Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan in their last group-offer match in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, 18 September and sealed their place in the Super Four of Asia Cup 2025. However, the team’s celebration was overched by a personal tragedy for young all-rounder Duneith Vellage.
Afghanistan’s campaign ended in the Asia Cup 2025 as Rashid Khan lost six wickets. Sri Lanka chased a target of 170 in their final group stage match. He completed Run Chase with eight balls. Kusal Mendis (74) and Kamindu Mendis (26) helped the Sri Lanka team to secure the victory.
Watch: Dunith Vellay informed about the sudden passing of Father Suranga
In a video that went viral on social media, Dunith Vellage was informed about the sudden passage of his father, Suranga Vellage, as his team’s match was only due to a heart attack after the conclusion of the match. Head coach Sanath Jaisuria and the team manager shared the news with Vellaj.
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Jayasuria was seen comforting the Vallaj by placing his hand on his shoulder. Suranga Vellay played in Sri Lankan school cricket and captained the prince of Wales College. The mood at the Sri Lankan camp quickly shifted to grief from the celebration, in which the teammates of the team supported Vellaj.
Valelage left for Colombo in the early hours to live with his family. Sri Lanka is all set to launch its super force campaign against Bangladesh at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, 20 September.
The moment Sri Lankan coach Sanath Jaisuria and the team manager informed Dunith Vellage about their father’s death just after the match. Danith’s father died due to a sudden heart attack. He was 54.
Video Credit- Dhanushka pic.twitter.com/p01nfffwlvww– Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cket) September 18, 2025
Suranga Veller also played a little cricket – Russell Arnold
Former Sri Lankan all -rounder Russell Arnold confirmed the air that Danith Vellage’s father Suranga, had passed away. Arnold expressed his condolences after the news and hoped that Sri Lankan would be ahead of the Super Four Stage.
Commenting on Sony Sports Network, Arnold said, “Hanith Vellage’s father, Suranga, had passed away some time ago. He also played some cricket. You know how big our school cricket is. He captained the Prince of Wales College, when I captained my school,” Arnold said while commenting on Sony Sports Network.
He said, “It was very sad to hear this. This news was broken by Duneth some time ago. And our sensation towards the family. The ceremony will be muted. The team is a tight place, dressing room. Hopefully, it is, it bonds them and helps them go and perform well in the super 4 stage,” he said.
Danith Veller scored 49 runs, including 32 runs in the final.
Talking about the match, Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by six wickets. Chasing a target of 170, 2022 champions reached the total with eight balls. Kusal Mendis scored 74 off 52 balls, while Kamindu Mendis scored 26 runs with 13 balls.
Earlier, Afghanistan staged a remarkable recovery after 79–6 was reduced. Mohammad Nabi scored 60 off just 22 balls, hitting sixes and three borders, as Afghanistan posted a respectable post of 169/8 in 20 overs.
In particular, Danith Vellage did a hard outing with the ball. Left -handed pacer scored 49 runs in his four overs, including 32 runs in the final, as the prophet attacked him five sixes. Nuwan Thaushra was a bowlers pick for Sri Lanka, who took four wickets for just 18 runs.
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