Accidental Selection Sparks Rise of PSL Top Scorer

A remarkable turn of events in franchise cricket has placed Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan at the centre of attention, after revelations that his inclusion in the Multan Sultans squad was reportedly the result of an “accidental selection” process. Farhan has since emerged as one of the most prolific batters in the format, topping scoring charts across major tournaments.

Farhan first gained global prominence after finishing as the leading run-scorer in the 2026 T20 World Cup, where he amassed 383 runs despite Pakistan exiting before the semi-finals. His consistent form has continued into the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he is currently leading the batting charts.

The discussion around his selection was reignited after former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen praised Farhan alongside Australian star Steve Smith in a social media post, while also thanking Sialkot Stallions franchise owner Kamil Khan for assembling the original squad during the February auction phase.

However, these claims were swiftly disputed by current franchise owner Gohar Shah, who labelled the remarks “misleading” and provided an alternative account of how the squad was constructed following changes in ownership.

Controversy Over Squad Formation

According to Gohar Shah, Pakistan’s current head coach Tim Paine played a significant role in selecting five key players, including Steve Smith. He also dismissed suggestions that Kamil Khan had any influence on the current squad composition.

Gohar further clarified that Sahibzada Farhan was not originally part of the franchise’s long-term planning. Instead, his inclusion was described as a “contingency decision” driven by auction dynamics and budget competition among franchises.

He explained that during the auction process, attempts by competing bidders—particularly linked to Islamabad—intensified price pressures, forcing franchises to reassess their strategies. As a result, Farhan was eventually added to the squad despite not being an initial target.

Franchise Ownership Transition

The controversy is further complicated by the franchise’s ownership history. Following financial difficulties faced by the Sialkot-based ownership group, the team underwent restructuring and was subsequently acquired by Gohar Shah, who rebranded it as Multan Sultans.

During this transition, key decisions regarding squad composition were revisited, with different management groups reportedly influencing player retention and recruitment strategies at various stages of the auction cycle.

Farhan’s Franchise Journey

Despite being overlooked in the main PSL auction last year, Farhan eventually entered the league as a replacement player for Islamabad United. His PSL journey has included multiple franchises over recent seasons:

His career trajectory highlights a pattern of short-term stints across franchises before his breakthrough as a leading performer.

Record-Breaking Form

Farhan’s recent performances have elevated his status in world cricket. In the ongoing PSL season, he has already scored a century—his ninth in T20 cricket—playing a match-winning unbeaten innings of 106 that guided Multan Sultans to a successful chase of 226 against Hyderabad Kingsmen.

His consistency has placed him at the top of the current PSL batting standings, with 232 runs in five matches at an average of 58. He leads the competition ahead of Samir Minhas, who has accumulated 180 runs so far.

World Cup Breakthrough

Farhan’s rise began on the global stage during the 2026 T20 World Cup, where he scored 383 runs and finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer. His tally surpassed the previous single-edition record held by Virat Kohli, marking a significant milestone in modern T20 history.

Outlook

While debate continues over how he was initially recruited, Farhan’s performances have firmly justified his selection in hindsight. What began as a disputed and reportedly unintended inclusion has now evolved into one of the most impactful success stories of the PSL season, reshaping both his career trajectory and his franchise’s fortunes.