Islamabad
\nPakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans will be operated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) itself during the upcoming 11th edition of the tournament, the board\u2019s chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday.
\nThe decision comes amid a protracted dispute between the board and the franchise\u2019s former owner, Ali Khan Tareen, whose agreement was not renewed after he was deemed non-compliant due to public criticism of the league\u2019s management.
\nMultan Sultans, introduced as the sixth team in 2018 and historically the most valuable franchise \u2014 acquired initially for a significantly higher fee than others \u2014 won the PSL title in 2021 and reached multiple finals.
\nHowever, tensions escalated over the past year as Tareen repeatedly voiced concerns over transparency, governance and communication within the PSL setup.
\nThe PCB responded with legal notices, accusing him of breaching contractual obligations, while Tareen threatened counter-legal action and ultimately decided against renewing ownership, citing principles.
\nSpeaking at a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium, Naqvi said: \u201cThis year, the PCB will operate Multan Sultans itself. After the end of the next PSL season, God-willing, we will hand it over to its next owners after an auction process.\u201d
\nHe added that an \u201cacting head\u201d for the franchise would be appointed within the next eight to 10 days, preferably a professional cricketer to ensure smooth operations.
\nThe development coincides with the PSL\u2019s expansion to eight teams for its 2026 edition \u2014 the league\u2019s first major restructuring since Multan Sultans joined seven years ago.
\nThe auction for the two new franchises is scheduled for January 8 in Islamabad, following the shortlisting of 10 technically qualified bidders from domestic and international investors.
\nThere has been speculation that Tareen could directly or indirectly take part in the bidding process for the new teams. For Naqvi, that should not been an issue, despite Tareen\u2019s differences with the PCB.
\n\u201cAli has done a lot of work on Multan Sultans,\u201d said the chairman. \u201cUnfortunately, whatever happened is an issue I don\u2019t want to discuss. \u201dBut technically, we will absolutely welcome him. If he wants to take a new team, he should definitely take it.\u201c
\nFive existing franchises renewed their agreements earlier this year under revised valuations, but Multan Sultans will not go under the hammer ahead of the upcoming season to maintain continuity.
\nThe franchise could have been put on sale for the January 8 auction, had it not been for the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, Naqvi said.
\n\u201cThere is a lot of interest in [Multan Sultans] it right now,\u201d noted Naqvi. \u201cBut in Pakistan, there are PPRA rules that have to be followed.
\n\u201cThere is a process: first, advertise internationally, then I think a two-month wait, then everything.
\n\u201cSo it won\u2019t be possible to do it because that process would have to be complete. This one (new teams) was already started much earlier. For that, the full process has to be done. So we have already started the process. As soon as it finishes, we will sell it immediately.\u201d
\nThe 11th PSL is set to run from March 26 to May 3, overlapping once again with the Indian Premier League in a bid to attract top overseas talent through enhanced player salaries and prize money.
\nNaqvi, however, said that deliberations are ongoing with the league\u2019s stakeholders over preponing the starting date to March 23 in order for the tournament\u2019s opening to coincide with the Pakistan Day.
\nMeanwhile, Naqvi announced that former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has been appointed as the PSL\u2019s brand ambassador and the bowling great will take on the post formally on January 1.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans will be operated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) itself during the upcoming 11th edition of the tournament, the board\u2019s chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday. The decision comes amid a protracted dispute between the board and the franchise\u2019s former owner, Ali Khan Tareen, whose agreement was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":522656,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-522644","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n