Rahmanullah Gurbaz has pulled out of PSL 2026 just two days after signing for Peshawar Zalmi ahead of the auction. Here’s why.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls out of PSL 2026
The Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter joined the Peshawar-based side as a direct signing ahead of the 2026 PSL auction on Thursday, February 5. He was expected to slot in alongside Babar Azam, who was retained by the franchise in the Platinum Category, in the top order.
However, just two days after the announcement, he pulled out of the upcoming edition of the tournament, citing personal commitments. Taking to Instagram, he revealed plans of focusing on his charitable foundation in Afghanistan after the T20 World Cup.
“Salam everyone, fans from everywhere,” he wrote. “After the World Cup, I won’t be available for the PSL this season due to my schedule. I’ll be focusing more on my foundation work in Afghanistan. Thank you for all the love and support.”
Backdrop of Gurbaz's PSL pullout
Gurbaz’s initial signing by Zalmi, however, hadn't gone down well with some fans, with a section alleging he had made anti-Pakistan posts last year. Some also criticised Zalmi owner Javed Afridi for the signing, while others called for the wicketkeeper-batter to apologise.
In October last year, the ACB had notably pulled out of a tri-series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pakistan after three Afghan cricketers were killed in an airstrike, which the cricket board believed was Pakistan's action. The ICC had condemned the deaths, while several Afghanistan cricketers had paid their tributes as well.
Gurbaz has previously played three seasons of the PSL, lining up for Multan Sultans in 2021 and Islamabad United in 2022 and 2023. In all, he’s made 15 appearances in the competition, scoring 318 runs at a strike-rate of 159.79, with one fifty. He was part of the 2026 IPL auction as well, but went unsold.
Gurbaz is currently with the Afghanistan men’s team in India, preparing for the T20 World Cup. They begin their campaign against New Zealand on Sunday in Chennai, and will also face South Africa, the UAE and Canada in the group stage.
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