Former Pakistani middle-order batter Umar Akmal has expressed frustration after his name did not appear in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 auction list, saying he even reached out to franchises and league officials for clarification.

 

Speaking during a recent podcast, Akmal said he made direct efforts to ensure his inclusion in the draft and even contacted key officials regarding the issue.

 

“This is my phone. I can even open WhatsApp and show you which franchises I was in contact with. They were saying that my name was not showing on the screen, so how could they pick me in the auction? This is what I am talking about,” he said, further claiming that he personally registered ahead of the auction but still found his name missing from the final list.

 

“I personally went and got my name registered. There were around 850 players in total, but my name was not included. My wife even told me that my name was not showing. I had an argument with her about it,” he added.

 

Akmal said he contacted Pakistan Super League officials, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Naseer, to resolve the issue. “During the auction… I am ready to say it… I was in contact with several franchises through WhatsApp messages and calls. I even contacted Salman Naseer, the PSL CEO, via calls and messages. ‘For God’s sake, just include my name. If no team wants to pick me, that’s fine but at least let my name appear’.”

 

“Don’t force me to speak about things that could hurt the little cricket remaining in our system because fans are already a bit disappointed,” he added.

 

The cricketer also spoke about his family’s support during difficult phases of his career, saying his wife and children continued to encourage him despite setbacks.

 

Umar Akmal has recently been active on social media, posting training clips, but he has not featured in any major domestic competitions in recent years.

 

During his international career, Akmal represented Pakistan across all formats. 

 

He played 16 Test matches and scored 1,003 runs, including three centuries. In One Day Internationals, he featured in 121 matches and scored 3,194 runs with two centuries. In T20 Internationals, he played 84 matches and scored 1,690 runs.