Tag: Dasun Shanaka

Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has broken his silence after being handed a one-year ban from the Pakistan Super League (PSL), admitting regret over his decision to withdraw from the tournament and apologising to fans and stakeholders.

The 34-year-old was sanctioned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for breaching his contract with Lahore Qalandars during the ongoing PSL 11 season.

Shanaka had been signed by the defending champions for PKR 7.5 million but later pulled out of the league before joining the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a replacement for injured England all-rounder Sam Curran.

Following a detailed review, the PCB ruled that Shanaka’s withdrawal constituted a violation of the league’s player registration terms and the tripartite agreement, subsequently declaring him ineligible for PSL 12 in 2027.

Responding to the decision, Shanaka expressed remorse over the episode and acknowledged the disappointment caused by his actions.

“I deeply regret my decision to withdraw from the HBL PSL and offer my sincere apologies to the people of Pakistan, the fans of HBL PSL, and the wider cricket community,” he said.

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“The HBL PSL is a prestigious tournament, and I fully understand the disappointment caused by my actions.”

The Sri Lankan all-rounder also extended a direct apology to Lahore Qalandars supporters, admitting he had let them down at a crucial stage of the competition.

“To the loyal fans of Lahore Qalandars, I am truly sorry for letting you down,” he added.

Dasun Shanaka further clarified that he had no prior intention of participating in another league at the time of his withdrawal, while reiterating his admiration for cricket in Pakistan.

“I must clarify that at the time I withdrew from the HBL PSL, I had no intention of joining any other tournament,” he stated.

“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.”

READ: Blessing Muzarabani reacts after two-year PSL ban

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a one-year ban on Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka after ruling that his withdrawal from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 constituted a breach of contract with Lahore Qalandars.

Shanaka, 34, had been signed by the defending champions for PKR 7.5 million for the ongoing edition. However, he pulled out of the tournament to link up with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran.

In an official statement, the PCB confirmed that a detailed review of the matter found Shanaka’s unilateral withdrawal to be in violation of both the Player Registration terms and the tripartite agreement governing PSL contracts.

“Following a comprehensive review of the recent contractual developments involving Dasun Shanaka and the Lahore Qalandars, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued its final determination regarding the player’s eligibility for future editions of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL),” the board stated.

As a result, Shanaka has been declared ineligible for the next edition of the PSL, effectively ruling him out of PSL 12, scheduled for 2027.

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“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,” the statement added.

“The findings indicated that the withdrawal was made on grounds not recognised within the existing contractual framework.

“Effective immediately, Dasun Shanaka has been declared ineligible to participate in the next edition of the Pakistan Super League (HBL PSL 12), scheduled for 2027.”

While accepting the decision, the Sri Lankan all-rounder issued a public apology, expressing remorse over his actions and the disappointment caused to fans and stakeholders.

“I deeply regret my decision to withdraw from the HBL PSL and offer my sincere apologies to the people of Pakistan, the fans of HBL PSL, and the wider cricket community,” Shanaka said.

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Lahore Qalandars have named Australia all-rounder Daniel Sams as a replacement for Dasun Shanaka in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

The outfit confirmed the squad changes on social media handles.

“Daniel Sams is set to play for Lahore Qalandars. Bat, ball, impact—get ready for fireworks,” the caption wrote.

Sams, 33, has extensive T20 experience with 216 matches, amassing 2266 runs and seven half-centuries. His strike rate is notable at 152.90. In addition to batting, he has taken 262 wickets.

 

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Previously, he played for Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings in the PSL.

The replacement comes after Shanaka decided to withdraw from the tournament to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The Sri Lankan T20I captain will play for the Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran.

Earlier today, it was announced that PSL 11 will be held behind closed doors and at fewer venues.

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Originally, six cities, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Peshawar, were scheduled to host matches in the expanded eight-team edition.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed the decision during a press conference on Sunday, citing ongoing geopolitical tensions and an emerging oil crisis as key factors behind the move.

“After consultations with the Prime Minister and security agencies, we have decided that the PSL will begin on March 26 as planned,” Naqvi stated.

“Initially, matches will be held without crowds, and this will continue depending on the global situation.”

Naqvi also confirmed that the opening ceremony of the tournament has been cancelled, with PSL set to begin directly with the opening match on March 26.

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars are scheduled to face Hyderabad Kingsmen at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium in the curtain-raiser.

Lahore Qalandars Updated squad for PSL 11

Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah, Mohammad Farooq, Daniel Sams, Parvez Hussain Emon, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Tayyab Tahir, Dunith Wellalage, Rubin Hermann, Maaz Khan, and Shahab Khan.

READ: Major update regarding Maxwell’s availability for PSL 11

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka has urged the government to intervene over players’ mental health concerns following their exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. 

The Islanders suffered a 61-run defeat at the hands of New Zealand, marking their second loss of the Super Eight and ending their T20 World Cup campaign.

Speaking after the loss to New Zealand, Shanaka cited negativity as the reason behind the team’s downfall.

“A lot of times what we see and hear are negative things,” Shanaka said.

“No matter how we as cricketers try to stay positive, there is negativity outside. That’s a big loss for Sri Lankan cricket,” he added.

The skipper emphasized that they have only one sport, noting that there is too much outside noise.

“This is the only sport we have, and I don’t know if we’ll be able to protect it. If you look outside the stadium, you’ll see how many people are standing outside with mics, and people will say stuff without having watched the match,” he continued.

“Why spread this negativity? Yes, we lost a World Cup, and we know the reasons. Everyone has concerns,” Shanaka lamented.

The 34-year-old urged the government to intervene, stating that it would be better for players’ mental health and future if the government mitigated this negativity.

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“More than talking about that and correcting it, the negativity has come to the fore. We will play and leave, but if for the players who will come in the future, if the government can even stop it [the negativity] that’s better for their mental health.”

He also highlighted the squad and emphasised good batting wickets, lamenting the unfavourable conditions.

“I said before the start of the tournament that I expected the wickets to be good for batting,” he said. “Sri Lanka’s best batters are here. We’ve picked players who have good domestic strike rates and ability. No one is here by force.

“Sometimes we don’t get conditions we want, and we lose matches in unexpected ways. We’re very sad about what has happened.”

“The team is always trying to perform, especially in a World Cup, and I don’t think anyone here will be able to play in a World Cup in Sri Lanka again,” Shanaka concluded.

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Dasun Shanaka hammered the fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan in T20Is as the co-hosts thrashed Oman by 105 runs at the T20 World Cup on Thursday in Pallekele for their second win in Group B.

Sri Lanka piled up 225-5, the highest total of the tournament, before restricting an outclassed Oman to 120-9.

The 43-year-old Mohammad Nadeem waged a lone battle for Oman, compiling an unbeaten 53 to become the oldest player to score a fifty in T20 World Cups.

Having promoted himself up the order and under pressure to deliver, Sri Lanka skipper Shanaka smashed a 19-ball half-century.

It has been a bruising few months for the out-of-form Shanaka since reclaiming the captaincy late last year.

But on a batting-friendly pitch he smacked the Oman bowlers to all corners of the park, peppering the stands with five sixes and two fours.

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Before that, Pavan Rathnayake and Kusal Mendis laid the foundation as the pair each posted fluent half-centuries, stitching together a 94-run stand for the third wicket.

Once the platform was set, Kamindu Mendis applied the finishing touches.

Fresh from his match-turning cameo in the win over Ireland, the left-hander scored an unbeaten 19 off just seven deliveries, striking one four and two sixes.

Oman were never really in the game as they fell to a second defeat at the tournament.

Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana shared the new ball with Dushmantha Chameera, and they accounted for two wickets apiece.

READ: PSL 11: Rawalpindi secure Jake Fraser-McGurk as direct signing

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed Dasun Shanaka will continue as captain of the national T20I side, leading the team in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the bilateral series against Pakistan and England.

The announcement came following the appointment of former fast bowler Pramodya Wickramasinghe as the new Chief Selector.

Wickramasinghe, who now heads the revamped selection committee alongside former cricketers Vinothen John, Indika de Saram, Rasanjali de Alwis (nee Silva), and Tharanga Paranavitana, made the confirmation during a media briefing at the SLC offices.

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The new committee has retained the 25-member preliminary squad previously announced for World Cup preparations, with the final squad to be named closer to the tournament.

The move ends speculation surrounding the future of former T20 captain Charith Asalanka, whose poor form in recent T20Is and absence from Pakistan last month had sparked rumours of a leadership change.

Shanaka had stepped in as stand-in captain during that tri-series and now formally retains the role for the global event, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka preliminary squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pawan Ratnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Ratnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushan, Mahish Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakant Vyaskanth, Travin Mathew, Kamil Mishara.

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PALLEKELE: Dasun Shanaka backed brilliant bowling figures of 3/20 with a quickfire knock to lead Kandy Falcons to a resounding victory over Dambulla Sixers in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 opener here on Monday.

Set to chase 180, the Falcons amassed 183/4 in 17.2 overs, courtesy of Dinesh Chandimal’s anchoring half-century, followed by Shanaka’s fireworks.

The home side, however, had a shaky start to the pursuit as they were reduced to 26/2 in 3.1 overs after opener Andre Fletcher (0) and wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris (5) perished cheaply.

Following the early hiccup, Chandimal knitted an important partnership for the third wicket with Kamindu Mendis.

The duo added 56 runs to the total until Chamindu Wickramasinghe dismissed Mendis in the 10th over.

Mendis scored 27 off 22 deliveries, laced up with four boundaries.

Chandimal was then involved in yet another crucial partnership for Kandy Falcons when he partnered with Angelo Mathews to add 29 runs for the fourth wicket before finally perishing in the 13th over.

Dinesh Chandimal remained the top-scorer for the Falcons with 40-ball 65 which included six fours and three sixes.

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His dismissal did not bother the Falcons as much as Shanaka charged on the Sixers’ bowlers from the word go and steered his side to glory in the 18th over.

Shanaka scored a blistering 46 off 15 deliveries with the help of three fours and five sixes while Mathews offered a supporting hand with a 20-ball 37.

Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Akila Dhananjaya, Mustafizur Rahman and Nuwan Thushara picked one wicket apiece for the Sixers.

Earlier, after being sent into bat first, Dambulla Sixers registered 179/4 on the board at the back of Mark Chapman’s 91.

The Sixers had a disastrous start to their innings as they lost their top four batters inside five overs with just 25 runs on the board.

Chapman and Wickramasinghe then launched an astounding recovery with an unbeaten 154-run partnership and took their side to a competitive total.

Mark Chapman top-scored for the Sixers with 91 in 61 balls, peppered with eight fours and four sixes while Wickramasinghe made a 42-ball 62, hitting four fours and three sixes.

Dasun Shanaka led the bowling attack for the Falcons with three wickets while Mohammad Hasnain took one.

The six-wicket victory put Kandy Falcons to the top of the LPL 2024 standings while Dambulla Sixers sank to the bottom.

READ: “Bowlers saved Virat Kohli in T20 World Cup final”

Dasun Shanaka held his nerve under pressure to take two wickets in the final over, snatching a dramatic three-run win for Sri Lanka in the opening T20I of a three-match series against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Monday.

Set a target of 207 runs, lower middle-order batsman Jaker Ali took Bangladesh close with his maiden fifty before Shanaka ended his 34-ball innings of 68 with the third ball of the last over.

Shoriful Islam hit a four from the next ball, leaving Bangladesh requiring six from their last two balls.

But the hosts could manage only two runs to be restricted to 203-8, with Shanaka, who also dismissed Rishad Hossain in the first ball of the final over, finishing with 2-36.

Former skipper Angelo Mathews claimed 2-17 to inflict some early damage on the Bangladesh innings before veteran Mahmudullah Riyad struck 54 off 31 balls to revive the hopes of the home side.

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis earlier slammed a fifty each to guide Sri Lanka to 206-3 after Bangladesh sent them in.

Samarawickrama struck an unbeaten 61 off 48 balls after Mendis hit 59 off 36 balls as the visitors overcame a slow start to put up an imposing total.

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Stand-in skipper Charith Asalanka played his part with an unbeaten 44 from 21 balls.

Mendis and Samarawickrama shared 96 runs for the third wicket after Sri Lanka lost their first two wickets for 37 runs.

Shoriful removed Avishka Fernando for four with the second ball of the innings before Taskin Ahmed had Kamindu Mendis caught by Soumya Sarkar at midwicket for 19.

Mendis hit leg-spinner Rishad for four and two sixes off consecutive balls to race to his fifty off 27 balls.

Rishad returned for his next spell to exact revenge as Mahmudullah took a well-judged catch at long off boundary to end the innings of Mendis.

Asalanka joined Samarawickrama to continue the assault, adding 73 for the unbroken fourth wicket, including 24 runs from the last over of the innings bowled by Mustafizur Rahman.

The series marks the start of Sri Lanka’s month-long tour of Bangladesh, which also includes three one-day internationals and two Tests.

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Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka was ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023 on Saturday due to injury and was replaced by Chamika Karunaratne, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.

Dasun Shanaka suffered a right thigh muscle injury during Sri Lanka’s defeat to Pakistan on Tuesday and it was revealed that he will stay out of action for a minimum of three weeks.

“The injury needs three weeks to recover,” the ICC said in a statement.

Allrounder Chamika Karunaratne, who was selected as a travelling reserve, was approved by the ICC Event Technical Committee to replace Dasun Shanaka in the squad. Karunaratne has played 23 ODIs for Sri Lanka and has picked 24 wickets at 28.83.

Meanwhile, vice-captain Kusal Mendis will lead the side in Shanaka’s absence.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Sri Lanka have lost both their opening games at the World Cup and will face fellow winless side Australia in Lucknow on Monday.

Sri Lanka faced a heavy six-wicket defeat against Pakistan after scoring a mammoth 344 on Tuesday.

However, Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan struck gutsy centuries to power Pakistan to pull off the highest World Cup run-chase with 10 balls to spare.

Prior to that, a combined bowling effort after a batting onslaught propelled South Africa to hand a 102-run thrashing to Sri Lanka in their ICC World Cup 2023 opener.

Sri Lanka updated squad for ICC World Cup 2023

Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne

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DUBAI: Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka asserted that his side would not consider Pakistan an easy opponent despite beating the Green Shirts comfortably in the Asia Cup Super Four clash on Friday.

Following Sri Lanka’s comfortable five-wicket victory over Pakistan with 18 balls to spare, Shanaka, in a scheduled press conference, lauded his team’s brilliance in the Super Four stage of the tournament, while claiming that the Islanders would not take Pakistan easily.

“Our team’s performance in the Asia Cup remained quite brilliant. All the players in our team played really well in Super Four,” Shanaka stated.

“We do not consider Pakistan an easy opponent and will come strongly in the final as well,” he added.

Shanaka then went on to emphasize the importance of toss in the ongoing tournament, while also revealing the team’s strategy if they lose the toss in the final.

“The toss is very important in this tournament. If we lose the toss in the final and bat first, then we will try to score plenty of runs in the powerplay,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by five wickets in a dead rubber Super Four match on Friday before meeting in the final of the Asia Cup 2022.

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