Misbah-ul-Haq Speaks Out After Son Remains Unsold at PSL 11 Player Auction

During the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL 11) player auction, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq faced a challenging situation when his son, Faham-ul-Haq, went unsold while Misbah was serving on the Peshawar Zalmi selection panel. Faham, a left-handed batting all-rounder in his early 20s with experience in Pakistan’s domestic circuit, entered the auction with a base price of 60 lakhs but did not receive any bids from the franchises despite notable performances in the President’s Trophy Grade-II and first-class competitions.

Speaking after the auction, Misbah described the experience as emotionally difficult. He highlighted the importance of maintaining neutrality and emphasized that selections must be based on merit rather than personal relationships. “It is very difficult for a parent to watch everything unfold. At that moment, you try to stay neutral and avoid making decisions based on emotions,” he said, stressing that his son would earn opportunities through performance.

Faham’s cricketing journey has previously drawn attention in domestic cricket circles. In April 2025, his participation in the President’s Trophy Grade-II sparked debate over eligibility rules for players switching between first-class and Grade-II competitions within the same season. Critics questioned potential favoritism due to Misbah’s influence in domestic cricket, with some arguing other strong performers were overlooked in youth-level selections.

At the PSL 2026 auction, Misbah’s choice not to bid for his son received praise for prioritizing merit over nepotism, while some observers questioned whether Faham’s current performance justified a PSL contract. The auction, held on February 11 in Lahore, marked the first in PSL history after expanding to eight teams, including the new franchises Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen and Sialkot Stallionz.