[CRK]

Dasun Shanaka Banned from PSL for One Year

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a one-year ban on Sri Lanka allrounder Dasun Shanaka from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The decision comes after Shanaka was found to have breached his agreement with Lahore Qalandars by opting out of the PSL and joining the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) Rajasthan Royals instead.

PCB’s Decision

A PCB statement revealed that the decision was made after a “comprehensive review” of the matter. According to the board, Shanaka’s unilateral withdrawal from the PSL constituted a “clear breach of both the Player Registration terms and the Tripartite Agreement.” As a result, Shanaka will be ineligible to participate in PSL 2027.

Previous Cases

Shanaka’s ban is not an isolated incident, as the PCB has previously banned Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani for two PSL seasons for a similar offense. Muzarabani had opted out of his deal with Islamabad United to join the IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders. The PCB’s decision to ban Muzarabani was deemed “incredibly excessive” by his agent.

Shanaka’s Apology

ESPNcricinfo reports that Shanaka received a reduced sanction after posting an apology for his actions. In the apology, Shanaka expressed his regret for withdrawing from the PSL and offered his sincere apologies to the people of Pakistan, the fans of PSL, and the wider cricket community.

“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 said. “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.

Shanaka also clarified that he had no intention of joining any other tournament when he withdrew from the PSL. He expressed his respect for Pakistani fans and his desire to return to the PSL in the future.

Consequences of the Ban

Shanaka becomes the third player to be banned from participating in the PSL, after Muzarabani and South Africa allrounder Corbin Bosch. The ban is a significant setback for Shanaka, who had joined the Rajasthan Royals as an injury replacement for Sam Curran for a paycheck of approximately USD 214,000.

The Lahore Qalandars had bought Shanaka for approximately USD 27,000 at the player auction, but he left the team before the start of the season to join the Royals. The move marked his return to the IPL after three years, but he is yet to play a match.