The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka from participating in the next edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for a year, citing contractual violations.
Shanaka was signed by defending champions Lahore Qalandars for Rs7.5 million in the fast-track round of the first players auction, which was held in February this year.
But just three days before the start of the ongoing PSL 11, the franchise confirmed that the Sri Lankan all-rounder has withdrawn due to personal reasons and has been replaced by Australian Daniel Sams in the squad.
In a statement, the PCB said it had conducted a comprehensive review of the recent contractual developments involving Shanaka and Lahore Qalandars following the player’s withdrawal from the tournament on March 21, 2026.
The board concluded that the unilateral withdrawal amounted to a clear breach of the player registration conditions and the tripartite agreement. Furthermore, it noted that the reasons given for the withdrawal were not covered by the existing contractual framework.
While acknowledging Shanaka’s expressions of regret and his expressed desire to continue playing in Pakistan, the PCB said the nature of the breach required regulatory action to ensure the integrity and exclusivity of the competition.
As a result, the PCB confirmed that Shanaka has been banned from participating in PSL 12 with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan all-rounder has apologized to Pakistani fans and the wider cricket community in a statement issued by the PCB.
“I deeply regret my decision to withdraw from the HBL PSL and sincerely apologize to the people of Pakistan, the fans of HBL PSL and the wider cricket community,” Shanaka was quoted as saying by the PCB.
“The HBL 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.”
He further clarified that he had no intention of joining any other franchise league at the time of retiring from the PSL, insisting that he had great respect for Pakistani fans and expressing his hope of returning to the big league soon.
“I must make it clear that at the time I withdrew from the PSL I had no intention of participating in any other tournament. I have the utmost respect for the Pakistani fans and have always enjoyed my time in Pakistan. I hope to return to the HBL PSL in the future with renewed dedication and the confidence of the fans.”
