“Honestly, that shocks me.”
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Kamran Akmal has publicly voiced strong disappointment after his brother Umar Akmal was excluded from the PSL 2026 auction list.
The controversy erupted soon after the official player pool for the Pakistan Super League season 11 was released to franchises.
Kamran Akmal took to X to question the fairness of the selection mechanism, calling the process “unfair” and confusing.
He questioned why Umar Akmal’s name was absent during the auction proceedings and tagged PCB.
Kamran’s post quickly gained traction, igniting debate among fans, former players, and analysts across multiple social media platforms.
Adding to the criticism, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali raised similar concerns while speaking during a televised cricket discussion.
Basit openly questioned the decision, stating: “Umar Akmal’s name is not there, and honestly, that shocks me.”
He further remarked: “I don’t know if we are wrong, or maybe we never really played cricket.”
Basit argued that Pakistan’s middle order lacks consistency, making Umar’s continued exclusion difficult to justify from a cricketing perspective.
According to the official registration list released by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Umar Akmal had formally registered for the PSL auction.
Despite meeting eligibility criteria, his name did not appear among players available for bidding when the auction took place.
Supporters quickly highlighted Umar Akmal’s previous PSL record to strengthen arguments questioning his omission from the auction pool.
Across earlier PSL seasons, Umar featured in 41 matches, scoring 1029 runs at an aggressive strike rate.
Fans argued that such experience and numbers usually secure a spot, especially in a league that values explosive batting options.
Many social media users echoed Kamran Akmal’s frustration, demanding transparency from league organisers and the PCB selection committee.
Some questioned how a registered player could be excluded entirely, calling the process confusing and poorly communicated to stakeholders.
Others insisted that registration should guarantee inclusion in the auction pool, even if franchises ultimately choose not to bid.
However, a section of fans defended the PSL framework, arguing that registration does not automatically ensure auction availability.
They maintained franchises, and league officials retain discretion to shortlist players based on form, fitness, and strategic considerations.
Several critics also questioned Umar Akmal’s recent cricketing activity, suggesting inactivity may have influenced the final decision. One user bluntly asked:
“How many domestic games has he played in the last year?”
Another commenter stated: “Retired players are not allowed.”
Although Umar Akmal frequently shares training and practice clips online, he has not featured in recent domestic tournaments.
As discussions continue, many await an official clarification explaining how final auction lists are determined and revised.
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