The PCB has banned Sri Lanka allrounder Dasun Shanaka from the PSL for one season. The board found Shanaka to have breached his agreement with Lahore Qalandars by opting out of the PSL and joining Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 instead.
A PCB statement said the decision was made after a “comprehensive review”. Shanaka, according to the board’s statement, was found to have withdrawn unilaterally, which “constituted a clear breach of both the player registration terms and the tripartite agreement”. He will be ineligible to participate in PSL 2027.
The decision on Shanaka came not long after the board banned Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani for two PSL seasons. Muzarabani had opted out of his deal with Islamabad United in favour of a stint with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. That remains the harshest sanction that the PCB has handed to a player for withdrawing from the PSL. Muzarabani’s agent, though, has since gone on record to say the ban was “incredibly excessive.”
ESPNcricinfo understands that Shanaka received a reduced sanction after posting an apology.
“I deeply regret my decision to withdraw from the PSL and offer my sincere apologies to the people of Pakistan, the fans of PSL, and the wider cricket community,” Shanaka was quoted as saying in the PCB’s statement. “The PSL is a prestigious tournament, and I fully understand the disappointment caused by my actions. To the loyal fans of Lahore Qalandars, I am truly sorry for letting you down.
“I must clarify that at the time I withdrew from the PSL I had no intention of joining any other tournament. I have the greatest respect for Pakistani fans and have always enjoyed my time in Pakistan. I hope to return to the PSL in the future with renewed dedication and the trust of the fans.”
Shanaka left Qalandars, who bought him for an approximate amount of US$27,000 at the player auction, before the start of the season to join RR as an injury replacement for Sam Curran for a paycheque of US$214,000 approximately. The move marked his return to the IPL after three years but he is yet to play a match.
Shanaka became the third player to be banned from participating in the PSL after Muzarabani and South Africa allrounder Corbin Bosch, who wasn’t allowed to play the current season after his decision to move to the IPL last year.
