By Staff Reporter
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board has banned Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka from next year’s HBL Pakistan Super League after he unilaterally withdrew from the current tournament to join an Indian Premier League franchise.
In a statement issued on Monday, the PCB said Shanaka’s decision to pull out of Lahore Qalandars on March 21 constituted a clear breach of the Player Registration terms and the Tripartite Agreement governing the league.
The 34-year-old has been ruled ineligible for the entire 2027 edition of the PSL as a result. The board said his withdrawal was made “on grounds not recognised within the existing contractual framework”.
Shanaka had left the Qalandars squad to link up with Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, according to ESPNCricinfo. In a statement released by the PCB, Shanaka expressed deep regret over his actions. “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,” he was quoted as saying.
He described the PSL as a “prestigious tournament” and offered a specific apology to Lahore Qalandars supporters. “I fully understand the disappointment caused by my actions,” Shanaka added. “I have the greatest respect for Pakistani fans and have always enjoyed my time in Pakistan. I hope to return to the tournament with renewed dedication and the trust of the fans.”
The PCB acknowledged the player’s expression of regret and his stated passion for playing in Pakistan but said the severity of the breach required firm regulatory action. “While the board acknowledges the player’s expression of regret and his stated passion for playing in Pakistan, the severity of the contractual violations necessitates regulatory action to maintain the integrity and exclusivity of the league,” the statement read.
It added that the PCB remained committed to “upholding the professional standards and binding nature of its player contracts to ensure the continued success of the PSL brand”. The clash between the PSL and IPL schedules has created recurring headaches for international players in recent years, with both lucrative T20 leagues now routinely overlapping. Only last week the PCB imposed a two-edition ban on Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani after he withdrew from Islamabad United to join Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL as a replacement for Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman. Last year South Africa’s Corbin Bosch received a one-edition ban for opting to play in the IPL rather than fulfil his contract with Peshawar Zalmi.
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