Gurbaz opts out of PSL [Source: X]The Pakistan Super League (PSL) auction is set to take place in a couple of days, but the controversy keeps on coming up as Afghanistan's opening batter, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, has opted out of the league after being signed by Peshawar Zalmi. The team owner, Javed Afridi, confirmed the signing through social media, welcoming Gurbaz into the “Zalmi family."However, with a few days left for the auction, the star batter has pulled out of the league, and it comes as a massive jolt for the Peshawar Zalmi side. The Afghan batter made the announcement through a social media post wherein he justified the actions by stating that he will not be able to participate in the PSL due to a hectic schedule.“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 the love and support.”PAK-AFG tension, the reason for Gurbaz’s decision?Reportedly, the tension escalated between Pakistan and Afghanistan when Pakistan conducted airstrikes in several parts of Kabul, Khost, Jalalabad, and other areas in Afghanistan in the month of October. Several civilians lost their lives, and this changed the course of things between the two nations.Most of the Afghan players decided not to play in the PSL, as Naveen-Ul-Haq picked County Cricket over PSL; however, Gurbaz went against others and was picked by the Zalmi for the upcoming PSL season.Speculations have begun that the ongoing tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan is the main reason why Gurbaz eventually decided not to take part in the PSL season, as he announced his sudden verdict days before the auction.Gurbaz meeting Mustafizur Rahman fateGurbaz’s situation in the PSL could be compared to what happened with Mustafizur Rahman in the IPL recently. The Bangladesh star pacer was roped in by KKR for the IPL 2026 season as the franchise spent a hefty amount of money on him.During the same time, there was a political turmoil taking place in Bangladesh and as a result, the BCCI was pressurised to release Mustafizur from the league.Eventually, KKR released the seam bowler from his IPL contract and this infuriated the Bangladesh board, who took stern action against the BCCI. Gurbaz met a similar fate, but unlike Mustafizur, who was removed from the IPL, the Afghan batter himself opted out of the league.There was growing pressure on the batter to boycott the PSL after what transpired between the two nations, and days before the auction, Gurbaz took the final decision.Will the Afghan batter be punished for his actions?Had the franchise (Zalmi) released the player, Gurbaz wouldn’t have faced any consequences, but here, the situation is different. The player himself opted out of the PSL, and thus, the board could take stern action against him.The PSL management could bar Gurbaz from taking further part in the future PSL seasons, as he was drafted in by the Zalmi, but at the last moment he ditched the franchise.
