KARACHI (Kashmir English): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday said Sri Lankan cricketer Dasun Shanaka has been banned from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for one-year over his “unilateral withdrawal” from PSL 11.
In a statement, the PCB said it has issued its final determination on the player’s eligibility for future editions of the PSL, following a comprehensive review of recent contractual developments involving Dasun Shanaka and the Lahore Qalandars.
“The review concluded that the player’s unilateral withdrawal from the tournament on March 21, 2026, constituted a clear breach of both the Player Registration terms and the Tripartite Agreement,” it said.
The findings indicated that the withdrawal was made on grounds not recognized within the existing contractual framework, the PCB said.
“While the Board has taken note of the player’s expressions of regret and his stated passion for playing in Pakistan during the formal hearing, the severity of the contractual violations necessitates regulatory action to maintain the integrity and exclusivity of the League.”
It said that Dasun Shanaka has been declared ineligible to participate in the next edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 12), scheduled for 2027, effective immediately.
Shanaka’s statement
The PCB statement also quoted Shanaka as saying that he “deeply” regretted his decision to withdraw from the tournament and offered his ” sincere apologies” to the people of Pakistan, the fans of HBL PSL, and the wider cricket community.
“The HBL PSL is a prestigious tournament, and I fully understand the disappointment caused by my actions. To the loyal fans of Lahore Qalandars, I am truly sorry for letting you down,” he said, according to the statement.
He further clarified that at the time, “I withdrew from the PSL, I had no intention of joining any other tournament.”
“I have the greatest respect for Pakistani Fans and have always enjoyed my time in Pakistan. I hope to return to the HBL PSL in the future with renewed dedication and the trust of the fans,” he said.
“The PCB remains committed to upholding the professional standards and binding nature of its player contracts to ensure the continued success of the PSL brand,” the statement added.
