PCB Bans Dasun Shanaka for One Season Over Contract Breach

Islamabad. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for one season. The board took this strict action after alleging that Shanaka violated his contract with the PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars by leaving the tournament to join the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals.

According to the PCB, as Shanaka was found to have unilaterally terminated his contract, he will be ineligible to play in the 2027 PSL. Lahore Qalandars had signed Shanaka through an auction for approximately 27,000 US dollars.

However, before the season began, he joined the Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran for an attractive salary of approximately 214,000 dollars. Although he received an opportunity to return to the IPL after three years, he has not yet played any matches. The PCB has termed this move by Shanaka a clear violation of player registration terms and the tripartite agreement.

Immediately after the ban was announced, Shanaka issued an apology. He apologized to the PSL and Pakistani cricket fans, expressing regret for disappointing the Lahore Qalandars.

He claimed that he had no intention of playing in any other tournament when he initially left the PSL and expressed hope of returning to Pakistan in the future to regain the trust of the fans. It is understood that Shanaka received a relatively lighter penalty compared to other players due to his public apology.

Shanaka is the third player to be banned for choosing the IPL over the PSL. Previously, the PCB banned Zimbabwean fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani for two seasons. Muzarabani had left Islamabad United to join the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Similarly, South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch was also banned for the current season last year due to a similar offense.