Afghan star opts out of PSL 2026 amid PAK vs AFG political feud

PSL 2026 has got another big blow before the auction as a star Afghanistan player has opted out of the tournament amid the Pakistan-Afghanistan political feud. 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz opts out of PSL 2026

Just two days ago, the 24-year-old Afghanistan cricketer Rahmanullah Gurbaz was signed by Peshawar Zalmi for the PSL 2026 through direct signing. However, the Afghan cricketer has now opted out of the upcoming PSL season, citing personal reasons. 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz said on his PSL opting out, "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. May you remain happy and prosperous wherever you are. Please keep me in your prayers." 

Watch: Faheem Ashraf smashes Logan van Beek for 24 runs during PAK vs NED T20 World Cup 2026 clash

Three Afghanistan cricketers withdraw from PSL 2026

Rahmanullah isn't the only Afghan cricketer to withdraw from the upcoming PSL 2026, as Naveen-ul-Haq and Mujeeb Ur Rahman have already confirmed their absence from the forthcoming PSL season.

Rahmanullah is popular for his powerful batting performance, as he is the second leading run-scorer for Afghanistan in the T20I format with 2139 runs in 83 games with an average of 25.77 and a strike rate of 134.02, including one century and 12 half-centuries. 

In his T20 career, Rahmanullah has scored 6244 T20 runs with an average of 24.97 and a strike rate of 145.00.