Pakistan ban Sri Lanka's T20I captain from PSL for agreeing to play for Rajasthan Royals

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Sri Lanka T20I captain Dasun Shanaka for one year from the Pakistan Super League. He had agreed to play in the PSL 2026 but joined the Rajasthan Royals as an injury replacement. Earlier, the PCB also banned Blessing Muzarabani for two years for agreeing to play for Kolkata Knight Riders despite giving his commitment for the PSL. However, his agent, Rob Humphries, claimed that the pacer never signed a contract with the PSL team, so the ban was unjustified and should be reviewed.

The PCB said on Monday that after reviewing the contract between Shanaka and Lahore Qalandars, the player was found guilty of breaching the registration terms and the agreement. 

"The withdrawal happened without any justified reason. It was against the contractual framework," the PCB said. Shanaka led Sri Lanka in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He replaced injured England all-rounder Sam Curran in the Rajasthan Royals team for IPL 2026. He joined RR for INR 2 crore.

"Dasun Shanaka will join RR for INR 2 crore as a replacement for Curran. Shanaka has represented Sri Lanka in 6 Tests, 71 ODIs and 131 T20Is and has over 3350 international runs and 86 wickets in international cricket against his name," an IPL release said.

In IPL 2023, he played three matches for the Gujarat Titans.

"It is disappointing to lose a player of Sam's skills close to the start of the season. He contributes with the bat and ball. However, we are pleased to sign  Dasun Shanaka as a replacement. He can finish games with the bat and is a quality all-rounder. He helps in maintaining the balance of side," RR head coach and team director Kumar Sangakkara said in a statement.