PCB Bans Sri Lanka T20I Captain Dasun Shanaka for One Year Over PSL Contractual Breach

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has handed Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka a one-year ban from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after he withdrew from his contractual obligations with franchise Lahore Qalandars to join Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.

The decision was announced on Monday, following a comprehensive review of the contractual developments involving Shanaka and Lahore Qalandars.

The PCB determined that the 34-year-old's unilateral withdrawal from the tournament on March 21 constituted a clear breach of both the player registration terms and the tripartite agreement.

Lahore Qalandars had secured his services for PKR 75 lakh at the PSL 2026 auction.

"The findings indicated that the withdrawal was made on grounds not recognized within the existing contractual framework," the PCB said in its official statement.

Why Did PCB Ban Shanaka Despite His Expressions of Regret?

Shanaka had been confirmed as a replacement for injured England all-rounder Sam Curran at Rajasthan Royals, joining the franchise for Rs 2 crore.

The Sri Lanka captain, who led his country in this year's T20 World Cup, previously made a solitary appearance in the IPL for Gujarat Titans in 2023, playing three matches.

Following a formal hearing, the PCB acknowledged Shanaka's remorse but maintained that the gravity of the violation left little room for leniency.

"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," the board stated.

The PCB has also banned Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani for two years from playing in the PSL for the same reason.

However, Muzarabani's agent Rob Humphries has contested the ban, claiming his player never signed any contract with a PSL franchise and that the suspension is therefore unjustified and should be reviewed.

This is not the first time the PCB has acted against players who have prioritised IPL commitments over PSL contracts.

In a similar case last year, South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch withdrew from his PSL contract with Peshawar Zalmi to join Mumbai Indians, earning a one-year suspension from the board.