The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka from participating in the next Pakistan Super League (PSL). This decision came after Shanaka withdrew from the 2026 tournament with Lahore Qalandars to join the IPL with Rajasthan Royals. Shanaka, who was an injury replacement for Sam Curran, expressed regret for his actions and apologized to fans and the cricket community.
Shanaka, in a statement issued by the PCB, acknowledged the disappointment caused by his withdrawal from the HBL PSL. He clarified that he had no intention of joining another tournament at the time. The PCB’s review found Shanaka’s withdrawal to be a breach of contractual obligations, leading to his ineligibility for the upcoming PSL edition in 2027.
The PCB appointed Daniel Sams as Shanaka’s replacement for Lahore Qalandars. Despite Shanaka’s regret and passion for playing in Pakistan, the PCB emphasized the need for regulatory action to uphold the league’s integrity. The ban on Shanaka follows a similar incident involving Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani, who opted out of the PSL to play in the IPL, resulting in a two-year ban by the PCB.
