The Pakistan Cricket Board formally banned Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka from the Pakistan Tremendous League for one 12 months on April 20, 2026. PCB shared the information on social media after Shanaka broke his contract with the Lahore Qalandars to hitch the Rajasthan Royals within the Indian Premier League.
PCB Pronounces One Yr Ban for Dasun Shanaka’s Participation in HBL PSL
Learn extra: https://t.co/DBZvU5x342
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) April 20, 2026
The PCB acknowledged that Shanaka’s sudden withdrawal on March 21, 2026, violated each league registration phrases and a three-way settlement between the participant, the league, and the staff. Consequently, the 34-year-old cricketer is now banned from enjoying within the 2027 PSL season.
Why the PCB Banned Dasun Shanaka
The controversy started when Dasun Shanaka left the Lahore Qalandars camp simply days earlier than the PSL season began. Initially, the Lahore Qalandars signed Shanaka through the February public sale for a worth of PKR 7.5 million (roughly $27,000 USD). Nevertheless, the Sri Lankan captain shortly modified his plans when the Rajasthan Royals provided him a spot within the IPL. The IPL staff wanted Shanaka as an harm substitute for England’s Sam Curran.
The PCB evaluation committee regarded intently on the timing of this transfer. They discovered that Shanaka’s causes for leaving didn’t match inside the allowed guidelines of his contract. In the meantime, the board emphasised that they have to take strict motion to guard the league’s popularity. They imagine that permitting gamers to interrupt contracts with out punishment would damage the exclusivity of the PSL.
Was It All About Cash
Shanaka’s determination to modify leagues was actually about cash. Whereas his PSL deal was price about $27,000, the Rajasthan Royals provided him a a lot bigger paycheck. Experiences point out his IPL contract is price roughly $214,000 (roughly 2 crore INR), which is almost eight occasions more cash in India than in Pakistan.
Moreover, this monetary hole highlights the rising competitors between the PSL and the IPL. Each leagues usually occur on the identical time. Subsequently, many worldwide gamers face a tricky selection between the 2 competitions. On this case, Shanaka selected the extra worthwhile possibility, which led to his present ban.
Dasun Shanaka Points Official Apology
Dasun Shanaka launched an announcement concerning the matter instantly after the PCB announcement. He apologized to the PSL followers and the Lahore Qalandars staff. Moreover, he acknowledged that he had no intention of becoming a member of one other event when he first withdrew from the PSL.
“The HBL PSL is a prestigious event, and I absolutely perceive the frustration attributable to my actions,” Shanaka mentioned in his apology. He additionally talked about that he has at all times loved his time enjoying in Pakistan. Moreover, he expressed hope that he might return to the league sooner or later and earn again the belief of the followers.
PCB Banned Different Worldwide Gamers
Dasun Shanaka just isn’t the one participant dealing with a ban this 12 months. Zimbabwean quick bowler Blessing Muzarabani was additionally banned. The board banned Muzarabani for 2 years after he left Islamabad United to hitch the Kolkata Knight Riders within the IPL.
Moreover, South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch confronted a one-year ban final 12 months for the same offense. In the meantime, Muzarabani’s agent, Rob Humphries, has criticized these bans. He known as the two-year punishment extremely extreme and claimed that no official contract had been signed. Nevertheless, the PCB maintains that verbal and written agreements are binding in skilled cricket.
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