Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls out of PSL following Pakistan boycott India's T20 World Cup match

Afghanistan’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has officially withdrawn from the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL). This announcement comes a mere two days after Peshawar Zalmi secured him as a high-profile direct signing ahead of the league's historic players auction. His sudden exit marks a significant shift for the franchise, which had expected the explosive right-hander to be a cornerstone of their top order for the tournament's 11th edition.

The decision appears to be part of a unified stance among senior Afghan players. Reports suggest that Gurbaz, Naveen, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman had collectively agreed to bypass the PSL this season for a mix of personal and professional reasons, choosing to maintain a united front despite individual contract offers.

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Gurbaz later took to Instagram, citing a commitment to his home country as the primary motivator. He explained that he intends to return to Afghanistan immediately following the World Cup to focus on 'unfinished work' regarding his charitable foundation.

"I won't be available to play in the PSL this year. I have some personal commitments, and a large part of the work for my charitable foundation is still unfinished. Following a successful World Cup campaign, I’m planning to return to my beloved Afghanistan to personally oversee the foundation’s work so that I can better serve the people of Afghanistan. Thank you all so much for your love and support. May you remain happy and prosperous wherever you are. Please keep me in your prayers. Thank you," Gurbaz said.

Gurbaz brings a wealth of experience to the T20 circuit, having featured in PSL across three distinct seasons. His journey began with the Multan Sultans in 2021, followed by a two-year stint with Islamabad United in 2022 and 2023. Throughout his 15 appearances in the tournament, the right-handed opener tallied 318 runs at an average of 22.71, highlighted by a solitary half-century.

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Beyond the franchise world, Gurbaz has established himself as a cornerstone of the Afghanistan national team. With 83 T20Is, 52 ODIs, and two Test matches under his belt, he is widely recognized for his fearless, aggressive approach at the crease and his reliable glovework behind the stumps. His dual-threat capability as a hard-hitting opener and a skilled wicketkeeper has made him an indispensable asset for his country.
At just 24 years old, Gurbaz has already become one of the most sought-after Afghan cricketers globally, boasting a resume that spans the IPL, BPL, CPL, SA20, and ILT20. His overall T20 statistics are impressive, with 6,244 runs scored at a strike rate of 145.00. This prolific record includes two centuries and an average of 24.97, solidifying his reputation as a premier dynamic batter in the shortest format of the game.