PCB bans International player over contract breach

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Sri Lankan cricketer Dasun Shanaka from the 2027 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 12) after ruling that his withdrawal from Lahore Qalandars ahead of PSL 11 was a breach of contract.

The PCB issued a statement which stated that Dasun Shanaka withdrew from the contract on March 21, 2026, and this action violated the Player Registration terms and the Tripartite Agreement.

The board said the reasons given by the Sri Lankan all-rounder were not recognized under the league’s contractual framework. Dasun Shanaka has been found ineligible to participate in PSL 12.

The decision formally closes a controversy that began just days before the start of PSL 11 when Shanaka pulled out of Lahore’s squad and then moved to the IPL. Shanaka had been signed by Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 11 auction on February 11 for Rs. 75 lakh after going unsold in the IPL auction. He withdrew from the squad before the tournament began and then joined Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran.

Shanaka’s replacement was Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams, who was brought in by Lahore Qalandars. The franchise confirmed the switch on March 22.

The PCB’s review found that Shanaka’s withdrawal from the contract created a clear contractual violation, which led the board to impose a one-year suspension on him. He faced punishment because he had previously agreed to play with Lahore Qalandars for PSL 11, but he left the team before the season to join the IPL.