Just two days ago, Sri Lankan cricketer Dunith Wellalage got the tragic news after the end of the group stage match in the Asia Cup 2025 against Afghanistan. While he returned to the team on Saturday morning (September 20), is he playing the match against Bangladesh in the Super Fours of the Asia Cup 2025 on Saturday evening?

Dunith Wellalage returned home to pay his last respects to his late father

After Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan by six wickets with eight balls remaining in the last Group B match in the Asia Cup 2025 to secure their place for the Super Fours, youngster Dunith Wellalage learnt that his father had passed away due to a cardiac arrest. Dunith returned to his home, and it was initially expected that he wouldn't return for the Asia Cup. 

However, last Friday night, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that Dunith would join the team on Saturday morning, and he would be available for selection for the match against Bangladesh in the Super Fours of the tournament. But the question was still on, as it was about to be practical. 

See Also: From Sachin Tendulkar to Dunith Wellalage: cricketers who endured personal loss while fulfilling their on-field duties

Dunith Wellalage is in Sri Lankan playing XI

Ultimately, at the toss, while Bangladesh chose to field first, Sri Lanka announced the unchanged squad. It means that Dunith is playing the match against Bangladesh, which is surely a big courage for the youngster. Sri Lankan cricketers are also wearing the black armband as a sign of respect. 

It is the second match for Dunith in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, who has recorded seven wickets in five T20Is. In the match against Afghanistan, the left-arm spinner had the bowling figures of 4-0-49-1. Although he bowled well in his first three overs, his bowling figures were damaged due to conceding 32 runs in the final over of the innings, where Mohammad Nabi smashed five sixes in consecutive legal deliveries.