Babar Azam Rahmanullah Gurbaz for Peshawar Zalmi. Image Credits: XPeshawar Zalmi have confirmed a key change ahead of the historic 11th edition of the PSL, scheduled to take place from March 26 to May 3. With the PSL 11 auction set to be held in Lahore on Wednesday, franchises are busy finalising their squads and making last-minute adjustments.Among the major talking points in the build-up to the tournament has been Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s sudden withdrawal from the tournament. The Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter was signed by Zalmi as a direct pick on February 5 and was unveiled with a special announcement. However, just days before the PSL auction, Gurbaz announced he would not be available for the upcoming season. His decision quickly became one of the biggest headlines ahead of PSL 11 which is also going to feature two new sides from Hyderabad and Sialkot. In response, Peshawar Zalmi acted swiftly and dropped a big news on Tuesday, confirming Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie as his replacement, aiming to restore balance and strengthen their squad before the auction proceedings begin. Aaron Hardie named as Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s replacement in PSL 11 Peshawar Zalmi announced Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie as their direct signing ahead of PSL 11 auction. The franchise shared the news on social media, calling Hardie a proven match-winner who brings balance, power, and versatility to the squad for the upcoming season. The 27-year-old, who has replaced Rahmanullah Gurbaz in Zalmi's squad, has strong experience in T20 cricket across conditions. He has represented Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, scoring 1,499 runs and taking 38 wickets in 73 matches. His all-round skills make him a valuable addition to Zalmi’s squad. Apart from the BBL, Hardie has also featured in Major League Cricket and T20 Blast in England. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball gives Zalmi more options in team combinations. The management believes he can play a key role in their campaign this season. Why did Rahmanullah Gurbaz withdraw from PSL? Rahmanullah Gurbaz announced his withdrawal through a video message shared on social media. He said that after the T20 World Cup 2026, he would not be available for PSL due to his schedule and that he wants to focus on his foundation work in Afghanistan. However, reports suggest there could be other reasons behind his decision. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have increased in recent months after reported airstrikes in Afghan cities, which led to civilian casualties and diplomatic strainSpeculation grew as several Afghan players also chose not to participate in PSL 2026. Some reports claimed that the Afghanistan government did not grant NOCs to players. Gurbaz’s sudden withdrawal added more fuel to these ongoing discussions. Afghanistan players’ mass exit impacts PSL The situation became more serious when reports claimed that nearly 10 Afghan players, including Sediqullah Atal, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi, pulled out of the tournament. Their absence created a major talking point before PSL 11. Cricket rivalries often bring excitement, especially Pakistan versus Afghanistan clashes. However, the recent mass withdrawal has added a different layer to the competition. The focus has now shifted from on-field battles to off-field tensions, affecting team plans and tournament preparations.
