5 top Afghanistan cricketers to play in PSL

KABUL (Pajhwok): Five Afghan cricketers have been bought in the Pakistan Super League’s sixth edition, which will be held in Karachi and Lahore from February 20 to March 22.

According to reports, about 20 Afghan players had applied for the PSL but only five cricketers were picked up by different franchisees.

During the auction, the Lagore Qalandars bought match-winner Rashid Khan, Karachi Kings snapped up Mohammad Nabi and Peshawar Zalmi opted for Noor Ahmad Lakanwal, Mujeeb Ur Rehman and Quetta Gladiators picked Qais Ahmad.

Afghan national team skipper Asghar Stanikzai had also applied for this season of PSL but he remains unsold.

On the other hand, Shapoor Zadran, Aftab Alam, Gulbaddin Naib, Rahmatullah Gurbaz and other Afghan players also remained unsold.

Earlier, Mohammad Nabi had played in the PSL, but as relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan were not good so Afghanistan Cricket Board previously did not allow Afghan players to play in PSL.

However, Hamid Shinwari, former ACB CEO, opposed Afghan cricketers to play in the PSL and asked the ACB not to allow these players to feature in the Pakistan league.

“ACB should not allow Afghan players to play in Pakistan League (PSL). Do not strengthen the economy of the enemy,” Shinwary said.

But former ACB director Azizullah Fazli called Afghan cricketers playing in foreign leagues as fruitful for Afghanistan.

Fazli tweeted: “The Afghanistan Cricket Board must stay away from politics. Afghan cricketers playing in foreign leagues is crucial for Afghanistan because it has economic benefits and a pride for Afghanistan.”

sa/ma