Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq faced a testing moment at the Pakistan Super League season 11 player auction when his son, Faham-ul-Haq, remained unsold while he served on the Peshawar Zalmi selection panel.
Faham, a left-handed batting all-rounder in his early 20s, entered the auction with a base price of 60 lakhs. Despite competing in Pakistan’s domestic circuit and posting notable performances, including half-centuries in the President’s Trophy Grade-II and appearances in first-class matches, he failed to attract a single bid from any of the franchises.
Speaking after the auction, Misbah admitted the situation was emotionally taxing. He said moments like these require restraint and composure, particularly when personal relationships intersect with professional responsibilities. According to him, talent and performance ultimately determine opportunities, and when the right time arrives, recognition follows.
He underlined that team selections must be grounded in merit rather than personal ties. Misbah made it clear that he chose not to intervene in the process to avoid even the perception of favoritism, adding that success earned through performance is far more meaningful.
Faham’s domestic journey has previously generated discussion within cricket circles. In April 2025, his participation in the President’s Trophy Grade-II competition drew scrutiny over eligibility regulations concerning players moving between first-class and Grade-II tournaments within the same season.
Critics at the time questioned whether his inclusion reflected the former captain’s influence in domestic cricket structures. Similar concerns had surfaced during youth-level selections, with some observers arguing that other standout performers were overlooked.
Misbah’s decision not to bid for his son during the PSL 11 auction sparked debate across social media. While many commended his professionalism and viewed the episode as a stand for merit-based selection, others debated whether Faham’s current form warranted a PSL contract.
The PSL 2026 auction, staged in Lahore on February 11, marked the league’s first player auction following its expansion to eight teams, including the newly introduced Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen and Sialkot Stallionz.
