KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering auctioning the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans ahead of the league’s 11th edition, encouraged by the strong valuations achieved from the recent sale of two new teams, sources told Geo Super on Sunday.
The PCB announced last month that it would assume control of Multan Sultans after the franchise’s ownership agreement expired on December 31, 2025, following the decision of owner Ali Tareen to step away. Initially, the board planned to run the franchise for one season and conduct the auction in 2027.
Under the interim plan, the PCB was expected to save nearly $4 million by avoiding payments from the central revenue pool and sponsorship allocations. However, an audit report revealed that the board would also miss out on the $8.5 million annual franchise fee during the takeover period, prompting a rethink of the strategy.
Ali Tareen formally announced his exit from the franchise in November via social media. Sources indicated that relations between the PCB and the franchise owner had been strained for over a year, eventually leading to an irreparable breakdown.
Multan Sultans were originally awarded as the sixth PSL team to the Schon Group for $5.2 million, making it the most expensive franchise at the time—significantly higher than Karachi Kings, which were sold for $2.6 million.
The move toward an early auction follows the PCB’s successful sale of two new franchises, Hyderabad and Sialkot, expanding the PSL to eight teams for its upcoming 11th season.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the board will operate Multan Sultans during PSL 11, scheduled from March 26 to May 3, 2026, after which the franchise will be auctioned. He added that an interim management setup will be appointed soon.
