Afghanistan players withdraw from PSL auction amid backlash

Afghanistan players pulled out of the Pakistan Super League's (PSL) inaugural auction amid the worsening ties between the two countries. Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb ur Rehman, Seddiqullah Atal, Waqar Salamkheil, and Fazalhaq Farooqi had registered for the February 11 event but opted out later, a franchise owner confirmed.  

The Afghanistan players’ decision comes in the aftermath of the severe backlash over Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s direct signing from Peshawar Zalmi. Gurbaz eventually opted out of the tournament amid criticism.

PSL CEO Salman Naseer claimed to the contrary that some Afghanistan players were in the auction pool, but found no takers. Although he confirmed that the Gurbaz episode played on the minds of the other Afghan cricketers, who eventually decided to stay away from any involvement in the league.

"There was severe backlash after [Peshawar] 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 it was better to avoid backlash," Naseer was quoted as saying by Times of India.

The diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have worsened ever since the aerial strikes conducted by Pakistan's military in Afghanistan’s border provinces, reportedly targeting militant hideouts. Several Afghan cricketers criticised Pakistan’s militant activity, most notably after one of the attacks killed three local cricketers, prompting Afghanistan to pull out of their tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan had termed the attack as “immoral and barbaric”, while welcoming Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) decision to opt out of the series involving Pakistan.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan,” Rashid had written in a statement on social media. “A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.

“It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed,” he had added.