Why Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz withdrew from PSL 2026 just two days after being announced by Peshawar Zalmi?

The Afghanistan wicketkeeper batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz had joined the Peshawar Zalmi side as a direct signing ahead of the PSL auction on Thursday. With him in the squad, the opening pair of the team was sorted as Babar Azam is also a part of the side after being retained in the platinum category. However, the Afghan batter has pulled out of the PSL 2026 season just two days after the announcement of his signing.

Gurbaz took to Instagram to reveal the reason behind his pulling out of the PSL season. Without elaborating much, Gurbaaz cited personal commitments as the reason behind his withdrawal. He further emphasises the plans of focusing on his charatible 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.”

Gurbaz's signing did not sit well with fans

Gurbaz's signing by Zalmi caused an uproar initially, as fans alleged that the player had made some anti-Pakistan posts last year. Subsequently, Zalmi owner Javed Afridi was criticised for roping him into the squad. Meanwhile, the fans kept demanding the wickerkeeper batter to apologise.

In October last year, the ACB had pulled out of a tri-series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka after three Afghan cricketers were killed in an airstrike. The board believed it was Pakistan's doing, hence took the decision.

Gurbaz has previously featured in three seasons of the PSL. He played for Multan Sultans in 2021 and was a part of Islamabad United from 2022 to 2023. Despite playing three seasons, he has till now accumulated just 15 appearances in the league, scoring 318 runs at a strike rate of 159.79. He has scored only one fifty in the 15 matches he played. Gurbaz was a part of the IPL 2026 auction as well but went unsold.

Gurbaz is a part of the Afghanistan men's team that will play the T20 World Cup 2026. They will open their campaign against New Zealand on Sunday in Chennai, and will also face South Africa, UAE, and Canada in the group stage fixtures.

Afghanistan squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen Ul Haq, Mohammad Ishaq, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran.