A one-year PSL ban for Dasun Shanaka, who tried to play a 'double game'.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has been banned from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for a period of one year. This decision was taken by the authorities following an investigation into the breach of his agreement with the Lahore Qalandars team for a sum of 7.5 million Pakistani Rupees for the currently ongoing 2026 PSL tournament.

The thirty-four-year-old Shanaka suddenly withdrew from the tournament on March 21st, and the very next day, he joined the Rajasthan Royals team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a replacement player for Sam Curran.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board's investigation report, the player clearly violated both the player registration conditions and the tripartite agreement by unilaterally withdrawing from the tournament. The report further indicates that he withdrew for reasons unacceptable within the existing contractual framework. Although the player's expressed willingness to play in Pakistan and his regret for his actions were noted by the board during the official investigation, authorities have emphasized that regulatory measures are essential in such serious breaches of contract to protect the tournament's reputation and identity.

Dasun Shanaka, who recently captained the Sri Lankan team in the T20 World Cup, has issued a media statement expressing his deep regret for his actions. The statement indicates that he apologizes to the people of Pakistan, PSL fans, the entire cricket community, and especially the fans of the Lahore Qalandars team. Shanaka clarifies that he had no intention of joining any other tournament at the time of his withdrawal from the PSL, and he states that he deeply respects Pakistani cricket fans and hopes to participate in the PSL again in the future.

Due to both the PSL and IPL tournaments being held concurrently over the past period, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of players who immediately move to the Indian Premier League upon receiving an opportunity, given its higher financial value. Last year, Corbin Bosch left Peshawar Zalmi to join Mumbai Indians, and this year, Blessing Muzarabani and Spencer Johnson also left the PSL to join the IPL. As a result, Muzarabani had previously been banned from the PSL for two years.