Dasun Shanaka has been banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for one year. This decision follows his withdrawal from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 on March 21, 2026.
The PCB deemed Shanaka’s withdrawal a breach of contract. His reasons for pulling out were not valid under the league’s contractual framework.
Shanaka had signed with Lahore Qalandars for Rs7.5 million during the player auction. Yet, his unilateral decision to withdraw violated the Player Registration terms and the Tripartite Agreement.
The PCB stated that they have a zero-tolerance policy toward contractual breaches. They emphasized the importance of maintaining contractual integrity within the league.
Shanaka expressed regret over his actions. He apologized to fans, stating, “I deeply regret my decision to withdraw from the HBL PSL and offer my sincere apologies to the people of Pakistan, the fans of HBL PSL, and the wider cricket community.”
He further added, “To the loyal fans of Lahore Qalandars, I am truly sorry for letting you down.” The seriousness of his breach required regulatory action to protect the integrity and exclusivity of the league.
Shanaka’s ban rules him out of participating in PSL 2027. He had no intention of joining another competition at the time of his withdrawal.
Observers note that this ban reflects the PCB’s commitment to uphold standards within cricket. Shanaka hopes to return to PSL in the future with renewed dedication.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential appeals or further actions from Shanaka or his representatives.