(Sports Correspondent:Imran Sohail)
PCB Bans Dasun Shanaka from PSL 12 Over Contract Violation
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a one-year ban on Dasun Shanaka, ruling him out of the 2027 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 12).
According to the PCB, Shanaka’s withdrawal from Lahore Qalandars ahead of PSL 11 was a breach of contract. The board stated that his decision to pull out on March 21, 2026, violated both the Player Registration terms and the Tripartite Agreement, and the reasons provided were not valid under league rules.
The controversy began just days before PSL 11 when Shanaka exited Lahore Qalandars’ squad and later joined the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was picked by Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for injured player Sam Curran.
Shanaka had earlier been signed by Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 11 draft but chose to withdraw before the tournament started. Following his exit, the franchise brought in Daniel Sams as a replacement.
After the PCB’s decision, Shanaka issued an apology, expressing regret over his actions. He apologized to fans, the people of Pakistan, and Lahore Qalandars, adding that he hopes to return to the PSL in the future with stronger commitment.
Despite the apology, the PCB maintained that disciplinary action was necessary to uphold the league’s contractual system and ensure fairness among teams and players.
The case has also drawn comparisons with another recent incident involving Blessing Muzarabani, who received a two-year PSL ban after leaving Islamabad United and joining Kolkata Knight Riders.
However, Muzarabani’s representatives have disputed the decision, claiming there was no formal contract in place and describing the ban as excessive. The situation has sparked broader discussion around contract enforcement and player commitments in franchise cricket.
