Dasun Shanaka faces scrutiny for leaving domestic match for ILT20

Sri Lankan all-rounder, Dasun Shanaka, recently left a First-Class game being conducted in Colombo to feature for Dubai Capitals in the recently concluded DP World ILT20 on the same day (February 2). Sri Lanka Cricket is reported to have conducted a full-fledged inquiry on the same.

The chargesheet levelled on Shanaka includes that the match referee of the red-ball game, Wendell Labrooy, had been deceived into believing that Shanaka suffered a concussion in a bid to be approved for a substitution.

“SSC [Shanaka’s first-class club] would probably be conducting their own inquiry as well,” said Ashley de Silva, CEO of SLC, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

However, the former skipper said that De Silva and the others had been informed that he would depart from the domestic game on a premature basis. As per Shanaka, he visited a doctor at a nearby hospital after having left the ground on the third day’s morning after being dismissed. This consultation was to check on a blow he copped to his neck on the same morning.

“SLC and the club knew I had to leave. I only came back because there was a request from the SSC (Sinhalese Sports Club) to play this First-Class match. But my other team wanted me back, as I’d helped win two games for them earlier in the tournament,” Shanaka added.

Shanaka was representing SSC in their game against Moors Sports Club in the Major League Tournament. He bowled a total of 21 overs and took a wicket. Speaking of his batting performance, he scored a solid 123 off 87. After SSC were all-out, Shanaka played no further part in the game. Notably, he was among three Lankan players to be called back by the SSC from the DP World ILT20 for this match.

Several hours later, on February 2, he donned the Capitals’ jersey in Dubai. He struck a 12-ball 34-run blitz to help his side post 217/4 on the board after 20 overs against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Notably, Dubai Capitals went on to win the tournament on February 9.