Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has officially withdrawn from the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) season, just days after being announced as Peshawar Zalmi’s marquee overseas signing.
The franchise revealed Gurbaz as their key foreign recruit on February 5. The 24-year-old, known for his aggressive batting approach and T20 strike rate hovering around 150, was expected to strengthen Zalmi’s top order. However, the announcement sparked a strong backlash from fans across social media platforms.
Many supporters raised concerns over Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and ongoing security sensitivities, noting that bilateral cricket ties have remained suspended since October 2025. The criticism quickly gained momentum, with the hashtag #BoycottPeshawarZalmi trending online.
On February 7, Gurbaz addressed the situation via Instagram, confirming that he would not participate in PSL 11. He cited post–T20 World Cup 2026 commitments and said he plans to dedicate time to his foundation, which supports youth cricket development in Afghanistan.
Reactions to his decision were mixed, with some users welcoming the move while others awaited an official response from Peshawar Zalmi, which has yet to comment publicly.
Earlier today, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had announced the complete of both foreign players as well as local players, with their respective base prices, ahead of the much-anticipated PSL 11 player auction on February 11, 2026.
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