Afghanistan players have withdrawn from the inaugural auction of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to increasing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Players Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb ur Rehman, Seddiqullah Atal, Waqar Salamkheil, and Fazalhaq Farooqi, who had signed up for the event on February 11, later decided not to participate, as confirmed by a franchise owner.
This decision follows significant criticism faced by Rahmanullah Gurbaz after his direct signing with Peshawar Zalmi. Gurbaz eventually chose to withdraw from the tournament amidst the backlash.
PSL CEO Salman Naseer stated that some Afghanistan players remained in the auction pool but did not receive any offers. He confirmed that the situation with Gurbaz influenced the choices of the other Afghan cricketers, who decided against participating in the league.
“There was severe backlash after [Peshawar] Zalmi signed Gurbaz because of the strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and after Gurbaz withdrew from the PSL. Other players felt it was better to avoid the backlash,” Naseer explained.
The diplomatic relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has deteriorated since Pakistan’s military conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan’s border regions, reportedly targeting militant locations. Several Afghan cricketers have voiced their concerns about Pakistan’s military actions, especially after an incident killed three local cricketers, prompting Afghanistan to withdraw from a tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan condemned the airstrikes, calling them “immoral and barbaric,” and supported the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) choice to pull out of the series involving Pakistan.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan,” Rashid stated on social media. “A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who hoped to represent their nation.”
“It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These actions are a serious violation of human rights and should not go unnoticed,” he added.
