Dasun Shanaka has been handed a one-year suspension from taking part in the Pakistan Super League after a review into a contract breach involving the league and Lahore Qalandars. The Sri Lanka all-rounder had been contracted for PKR 75 lakh to play in the PSL 2026 window, but his withdrawal from the tournament triggered disciplinary action.
Key takeaways
- Shanaka has been banned for 12 months from competing in the Pakistan Super League.
- Lahore Qalandars had signed him for PKR 75 lakh ahead of the PSL 2026 season.
- He pulled out of the PSL on March 21, with Rajasthan Royals adding him to their IPL squad the next day as Sam Curran’s replacement.
- The review found his withdrawal violated both player registration requirements and the tripartite agreement.
- Shanaka captained Sri Lanka at the recent T20 World Cup and said he regrets his decision to withdraw.
Why Shanaka’s PSL deal was terminated
Shanaka, now 34, exited the PSL on March 21 and was subsequently signed by the Rajasthan Royals one day later in the Indian Premier League as a replacement player for Sam Curran. The Pakistan board’s review stated that the unilateral nature of his withdrawal was treated as a breach of the Player Registration conditions and the Tripartite Agreement covering participation and obligations between the parties.
The review also noted that the reason provided for the pullout did not fall within the boundaries recognized by the existing contractual structure. While the board acknowledged Shanaka’s expressions of regret and what he said during the formal hearing about his desire to play in Pakistan, it concluded that the scale of the violations required regulatory action. The stated aim was to protect the league’s integrity and preserve the exclusivity of player commitments for the competition.
Shanaka’s apology and the broader IPL pull
In the same release, Shanaka—who led Sri Lanka at the recent T20 World Cup—expressed regret for his actions. He offered apologies to the people of Pakistan, the PSL supporters, and the wider cricket fraternity, describing his withdrawal as deeply disappointing for those connected to the league.
He said the PSL is a prestigious tournament and that he understands the disappointment his decision caused. He also addressed Lahore Qalandars fans directly, apologising for letting them down, and clarified that when he withdrew he did not intend to join any other competition. Shanaka added that he has great respect for Pakistani fans and has enjoyed his time in Pakistan, while stating his hope to return to the PSL in the future with renewed dedication and the trust of supporters.
With the PSL and IPL frequently overlapping in the same competitive window in recent years, the last few seasons have seen more players switch leagues when opportunities arise. Following that trend, Corbin Bosch moved from a Peshawar Zalmi contract to the Mumbai Indians last year. This season, Blessing Muzarabani and Spencer Johnson also made similar moves from the PSL to the IPL, with Muzarabani later receiving a two-year ban from appearing in the PSL.
