Afghanistan Players Withdraw From PSL Auction Amid Political Backlash Over Gurbaz Signing

Updated: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 17:51 [IST]

Afghanistan players pulled out of the first Pakistan Super League players' auction for the 11th season, after anger on social media over Rahmanullah Gurbaz joining Peshawar Zalmi. The move left franchises without several Afghan options that had initially shown interest.

A franchise owner said that Mujeeb ur Rehman, Seddiqullah Atal, Muhamad Nabi, Waqar Salamkheil and Fazal Haq Farooqi had all registered for the Lahore auction on Wednesday. These Afghanistan players later withdrew, once reaction grew over Gurbaz’s direct signing by Zalmi.

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Following social media backlash regarding Rahmanullah Gurbaz joining Peshawar Zalmi, several Afghan players, including Mujeeb ur Rehman, withdrew from the Pakistan Super League auction after registering, due to strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan influenced by recent military actions.

Afghanistan players PSL auction controversy and political backdrop

The backlash followed Pakistan military airstrikes in parts of Afghanistan late last year, justified by Pakistan as operations against militants. Since then, relations between the two neighbours have been tense, and that strain has spilled over into cricket decisions and fan debates online.

Several Afghanistan players criticised the Pakistan government on social media after the air operations. Pakistan-based accounts answered in kind, creating a hostile online space. This atmosphere added pressure on Afghanistan cricketers considering PSL deals, especially when Gurbaz was brought in directly by Zalmi.

Afghanistan players	PSL auction status
Mujeeb ur Rehman	Registered, later withdrew
Seddiqullah Atal	Registered, later withdrew
Muhamad Nabi	Registered, later withdrew
Waqar Salamkheil	Registered, later withdrew
Fazal Haq Farooqi	Registered, later withdrew

Afghanistan players PSL auction confusion and league response

PSL chief executive Salman Naseer gave a slightly different account of the auction lists. Naseer said that some Afghanistan players remained available for selection but none attracted bids. "They were a few Afghanistan players in the auction but no franchise went for them," Naseer claimed.

Naseer accepted that politics between Islamabad and Kabul affected decisions. "There was a severe backlash after Zalmi signed Gurbaz because of the fractured relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and after Gurbaz pulled himself out of the PSL. So, the other players also decided better to avoid backlash," he said. The withdrawals highlight how regional tensions now shape franchise choices and player participation in the PSL.