Shanaka’s move, which involves withdrawing from his Pakistan Super League (PSL) contract with Lahore Qalandars, comes as a setback for the PSL just days before the tournament begins. The 34-year-old had gone unsold at the IPL miniauction in Abu Dhabi last Dec. He becomes the latest player to switch from PSL to IPL after Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani pulled out of his Islamabad United deal to join Kolkata Knight Riders as Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s replacement.
Sources said Shanaka’s signing is almost finalised, with only routine paperwork related to his PSL contract and a no objection certificate (NOC) from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) pending. He is expected to link up with the Royals squad in Guwahati, where RR open their campaign against Chennai Super Kings next week.
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