Dasun Shanaka Faces PSL Ban After Opting For Rajasthan Royals IPL Deal

Dasun Shanaka received a one-year PSL ban after withdrawing from his contract to join the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, with the PCB citing a breach of agreement.

Dasun Shanaka received a 1-year ban from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after pulling out of his contract. The 34-year-old Sri Lankan all-rounder had signed with Lahore Qalandars for PKR 75 lakh for the 2026 season.

He withdrew from the tournament on March 21. Two days later, he joined Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for Sam Curran. The PCB ruled that his exit violated player registration rules and the tripartite agreement. The board accepted his regret but still imposed the ban to protect league integrity.

“The review concluded that the player’s unilateral withdrawal from the tournament constituted a clear breach of both the Player Registration terms and the Tripartite Agreement. The findings indicated that the withdrawal was made on grounds not recognized within the existing contractual framework,” PCB said in a statement on Monday.

“While the Board has taken note of the player’s expressions of regret and his stated passion for playing in Pakistan during the formal hearing, the severity of the contractual violations necessitates regulatory action to maintain the integrity and exclusivity of the League,” it read further.

Shanaka later expressed disappointment over his decision and acknowledged the impact on fans. He apologised to Lahore Qalandars supporters and the Pakistan cricket community. He maintained that he had no initial plans to join another tournament at the time of withdrawal. He also stated his intention to return to the PSL in the future.

“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. 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,” the release quoted him saying.

“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,” he added.

Earlier, Blessing Muzarabani had also faced a 2-year ban after leaving Islamabad United plans. His agency stated no contract existed. He later joined Kolkata Knight Riders. The PCB still enforced the suspension despite the disputed agreement.

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