In a huge blow to the PSL, Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz has withdrawn from this year’s tournament, who was signed by Peshawar Zalmi recently. Taking to social media, the keeper-batter announced his decision. “Salam everyone, fans from everywhere. 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 wrote.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz says no to PSL 2026
Meanwhile, Zalmi went on to retain Babar Azam in the platinum category with a retention fees of PKR 70 million, Sufiyan Muqeem in the diamond category for PKR 44.8 million, Abdul Samad in gold for a fees of 28 million and Ali Raza in emerging category for 19.6 million.
As per buzz on social media, it seems that Gurbaz, along with Mujeeb ur Rahman and Naveen ul Haq had decided to give PSL a miss. There is no confirmation on this bit as yet. In fact, there is no Afghanistan player who is registered for the PSL auction, that is supposed to take place on Feb 11.
The Zalmi have so far made purchases of PKR 162.4 million out of the total purse of 450 million. As far as the main tournament is concerned, it will directly clash with the IPL, will start on March 26 and will conclude on May 3.
Full list of foreign players registered in PSL Auction
Australia: Josh Philippe, Adam Zampa, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Sean Abbott, William Sutherland, Mark Steketee, Ashton Agar, Daniel Sams, Jason Behrendorff, Chris Lynn, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey, Benjamin Dwarshuis, Tanveer Sangha, Jake Lehmann.
Bangladesh: Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahmudullah Riyad, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Tawhid Hridoy.
England: Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sam Billings, Jason Roy, Joe Clarke, Tom Curran, Tymal Mills, Alex Hales, Laurie Evans, Dawid Malan, Joe Root.
New Zealand: Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell, Martin Guptill, Ajaz Patel, Colin de Grandhomme, Ish Sodhi, Tom Latham.
South Africa: VN Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Corbin Bosch, Dwaine Pretorius, George Linde, Duan Jansen, Temba Bavuma, Wiaan Mulder.
Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Dasun Shanaka, Dinesh Chandimal, Dunith Wellalage, Lahiru Kumara, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera.
West Indies: Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Matthew Forde, Kyle Mayers, Andre Fletcher, Obed McCoy, Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Dominic Drakes, Shamar Springer, Hayden Walsh Jnr.
Zimbabwe: Ryan Burl, Blessing Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza.
