Among the five franchises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), heading into the 2026 season of the tournament, Multan Sultan remains the only side not to retain any player, losing even their captain, Mohammad Rizwan, which has come as a shocking decision from the management. It’s not clear yet if the decision is based only on the franchise or has also come from the former captain’s end.

In the entire history of the PSL, Mohammad Rizwan featured in the last five seasons for the franchise, where he smashed 367 runs in 10 innings during the previous edition at an average of 52.42 and a strike rate of nearly 140 with the help of one half-century and one century. That means there is no issue with the form of the batter.

See Also: Pakistan to be sanctioned on bilateral for forfeiting India fixture in T20 WC 2026? Report drops bombshell

That we can keep on opening better, we’ll now look forward to the two new teams, Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad, who will make their retentions by February 07, as the auction takes place in February, for the first time in the history of the event.

List of Multan Sultans’ retained players ahead of PSL 2026

All the retained players and the ones who are going to be picked in the auction will have a two-year contract with their franchise, as the teams can sign 16 to 20 players, with five to seven / six players and at least one local player under the age of 23 who has yet to play the PSL.

Each franchise has an auction part of PKR 450 million, which is around USD 1.6 million, which can be later extended to PKR 505 million, which is around USD 1.8 million to accommodate the direct signing, as the teams can sign one player outside the auction, just like Stallionz did for Steve Smith.

Multan Sultan finished the previous season of the PSL with the wooden spoon, having won only one game in their 10 clashes, and went winless for the last six encounters of the tournament at a net run rate of -2.449.  

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to put its franchise, Multan Sultans, up for auction ahead of the 11th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which is set to begin on March 26. It tendered inviting bids for the franchise, which has been issued, with the interested parties asked to submit their proposals by the end of January.

The change of action from the board ends the brief notion of running Multan Sultans in-house this season, as the chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, expressed last. The reports have claimed that the proposal to auction the Sultans had the support of the senior officials of the board and the PSL.

See Also: Asia Cup 2025 Drama: Mohsin Naqvi’s Big Statement to BCCI

The tournament is understood to have buoyed by the high prices of the two new teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot, which were sold for a price of PKR 1.75 and PKR 1.85 billion, respectively. The sales took place at an auction, with the franchise fee nearly three times that of the Lahore Qalandars, the most valuable of the existing PSL teams.

PCB seeks bids for Multan Sultans’ auction before PSL 2026

Unlike the two new teams, Sultan is already an established PSL franchise and has taken part in eight seasons and won the title in 2021. However, the officials remain hopeful that the sale before the season would fetch the highest axing price of all. For the prime contenders, the eyes remain on the bidders for the other two teams in the bidding war.

Sultan’s previous owner, Ali Tareen, decided to walk away from the franchise at the end of last year, which resulted in the PCB’s search for the new buyer as Treen withdraw from the auction for one of the two new franchises as the last minute but promised to return when Sultans would be up for sale.  

The PSL has not yet announced a drop date for the squads, which can’t happen until Sultan’s new owner is in place. The addition of the two new teams has also led to disagreements around the process of how many players existing franchises should be able to retain ahead of the new season.

Ali Tareen, the former owner of Multan Sultans, has announced that he will withdraw from the auction for one of the two new franchises in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Tareen shared the update on X. He said that after careful thought, he and his family decided not to take part in the PSL franchise auction.

“After careful consideration, my family and I have decided not to participate in today’s PSL franchise auction,” Tareen wrote on X. “Our time with Multan Sultans was never just about owning a cricket team. It was about South Punjab.

“If I return to the PSL, it will be for the same reason. South Punjab is close to my heart. It is my home. When the Multanteam is sold again, we will be ready. I wish all the bidders the best,” he added.

Also read -Breaking News: Indian star ruled out of IND vs NZ first 3 T20Is

After careful consideration, my family and I have decided not to participate in today’s PSL franchise auction.

Our time with Multan Sultans was never just about owning a cricket team. It was about South Punjab. About giving a voice to a region that had been overlooked for too…

— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) January 8, 2026

Tareen’s Exit Leaves Nine Bidders in PSL Auction

Ali Tareen’s decision was made public after most of the other bidders had already reached the venue and spoken to the media. His late withdrawal reduced the competition to nine bidders for the two new PSL franchises.

The successful bidders were allowed to choose their team names from Faisalabad, Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Gilgit, and Muzaffarabad. They could also select a city outside these six, but that option required an extra payment of around USD 1 million.

Multan Sultans, which Tareen left at the end of last year after a dispute with PSL management, will be run by the PCB this season. The franchise will be put up for sale after the tournament ends, and Tareen has already said he wants to buy it back.

See also -10 Bangladeshi cricketers register for PSL 2026, ft. Mustafizur Rahman

Hyderabad and Sialkot Join PSL as New Teams

Hyderabad and Sialkot have been confirmed as the seventh and eighth teams in the PSL. The auction saw bids go well beyond expectations.

FKS, a US-based aviation and healthcare group that also owns the Chicago Kingsmen, secured the Hyderabad franchise for PKR 1.75 billion (USD 6.2 million). Meanwhile, OZ Developers, a real estate consortium, won the Sialkot team with a bid of PKR 1.85 billion (USD 6.55 million). Both deals are the highest franchise fees in PSL history.

The bidding for the first team started at a base price of PKR 1.1 billion, which is the annual fee paid to the PCB for a 10-year ownership term. The amount quickly increased when FKS, led by CEO Fawad Sarwar, placed a bid of PKR 1.4 billion, raising the price well above the minimum increase required.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will be taking over the Pakistan Super League team Multan Sultans for an interim period after the current owner agreement will be finished by the end of 2025. The PCB will run the team for one season in 2026 and then sell it to the new owner via an auction in 2027, as per the official information provided.

The current agreement with the group owning the Multan Sultans ends on December 31, 2025, and a final policy decision from PCB is expected within a week. Reports suggest that the board has already laid out a transition plan to keep the franchise running smoothly with no interruption to the league.

If the suggested plan goes ahead, the PCB-operated model may provide financial relief to the board in the short term. The PCB would save about $3 million from the central revenue pool and another $1 million in sponsorship allocations by being in charge of the franchise directly. On the other hand, there is a downside as well. According to an audit report, the PCB would have to give up the annual franchise fee of $8.5 million for the year of takeover, which means the overall financial impact will need to be carefully weighed.

Ownership exit marks the end of a chapter as PCB introduces temporary management before the 2027 auction

This event took place after Ali Tareen, Multan Sultans owner, made a public announcement in November that he was leaving the franchise. Reports say that over the past year, the relations between the PCB and the ownership group had deteriorated continuously until it reached a stage where it was not possible to continue.

ALSO SEE: Watch: Travis Head celebrates fourth successive century in Adelaide during 3rd Ashes 2025/26 Test

Multan Sultans have experienced a complex ownership saga. The franchise was first given to the Schon Group as the sixth PSL team for $5.2 million, making it the most expensive franchise then. However, after the first season, financial problems resulted in missed payments, which led the PCB to cancel the agreement.

In the month of December 2018, Alamgir Tareen together with his nephew Ali Tareen bought the franchise for the amount of $6.3 million. Thereafter, Multan Sultans have turned up to be the most reliable and strong contenders for the PSL titles by consistently challenging the other teams and acquiring a good number of fans.

The situation of the PCB getting involved is a step towards having stability in the franchise while the long-term ownership of the franchise will be determined at the 2027 auction.

The Multan Sultans are reportedly heading toward a major identity shift ahead of the Pakistan Super League 2026 (PSL 11), with strong indications that the franchise may undergo a complete name change. The development follows owner Ali Tareen’s decision not to renew his contract with the league, effectively placing the team back on the market and paving the way for new ownership, and potentially a new brand identity.

According to sources, the name “Multan Sultans” may not continue into PSL 2026, as fresh investors look to rebuild the franchise’s image from the ground up. With the team now officially open for purchase and the PCB preparing for a multi-team auction in early January, rebranding has become one of the most talked-about possibilities in PSL circles. A new owner would have full authority to rename, redesign, and reposition the franchise in line with their long-term vision.

A New Era Awaits as Multan’s PSL Franchise Faces Complete Rebranding

Ali Tareen’s emotional farewell, posted on X, marked the end of a turbulent but influential era. Known for his outspoken nature and frequent clashes with PCB and PSL officials, Tareen said he preferred to step away rather than compromise his principles. His decision came after months of disagreements over governance and transparency, including disputes related to franchise valuation and communication from the league.

ALSO SEE: India Women Set for 5-Match T20I Showdown Against Sri Lanka from December 21–30

With Tareen’s exit, the Multan franchise, valued at around Rs. 140 crore, is now one of the most attractive assets available for new investors. PSL 2026 is set to be a transformative season altogether, with the league expanding to eight teams through the inclusion of Gilgit and Faisalabad. The PCB will now conduct an auction seeking three new owners: one to replace Multan and two for the newly added teams.

As for the Sultans, their future identity remains a subject of heavy speculation. Whether the new owner retains the iconic “Sultans” branding or opts for a fresh concept, one thing is certain: PSL 2026 may witness the birth of an entirely new franchise representing South Punjab, one with a new name, new leadership, and a brand-new chapter.

Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has officially announced that he will not renew his ownership of the PSL franchise, bringing an end to a seven-year association marked by both on-field success and increasingly strained relations with league management. Tareen confirmed his exit through a detailed message on social media, in which he expressed pride in what the team had achieved but also hinted at serious disagreements with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and PSL administration. His remark that he would “rather lose the team standing on my feet than run it from my knees” underscored the friction that has built over the past year.

Tareen revealed that financial losses never motivated his decision to leave, emphasising that Multan Sultans meant far more to him than yearly balance sheets. His departure comes at a complicated time for the league, which is set to expand to eight teams for the upcoming 11th season. While five franchises have agreed to renew their ownership contracts, Sultans did not receive a renewal offer, a sign of how fractured the relationship had become.

Legal Dispute, Valuation Clash Push Tareen to Exit Multan Sultans

The rift escalated when the PCB issued a legal notice accusing Tareen of contract violations and demanding a public apology. Tareen responded with a sarcastic video in which he tore up the notice, further intensifying the standoff. In recent months, he found himself excluded from discussions regarding the upcoming season, and the franchise received no replies to communication from PSL officials. Sources indicate the PCB recently asked Tareen to delete posts critical of the league and issue an apology, but the impasse remained unresolved.

ALSO SEE: BCCI announces a new Colour Partner - Here's everything you need to know

Compounding matters is the franchise’s financial valuation. Multan Sultans, originally purchased for PKR 1.1 billion, has reportedly been revalued at around PKR 850 million, making it the only PSL team to lose value. Yet, renewal terms required Tareen to pay the old fee plus an additional 25%, a condition he argued was unfair and unsustainable.

In his farewell statement, Tareen paid tribute to his late uncle, Alamgir Tareen, who had shared his passion for using the franchise to uplift South Punjab. He urged fans to continue supporting the team regardless of future ownership and promised he would still be present in the stands. The PCB has yet to comment, and the search for new ownership now adds another layer of complexity to PSL 11.

Tensions between Pakistan Super League franchise Multan Sultans and the Pakistan Cricket Board have deepened, with owner Ali Khan Tareen openly expressing frustration over what he describes as a complete communication breakdown regarding the team’s renewal and valuation process.

Tareen revealed that despite repeatedly reaching out, Multan have still not received the valuation and renewal letter that other franchises have been issued. “Over the past month we have sent multiple emails to the PSL management, asking for our valuation and renewal letter (which every other team has already received). But there has been no response,” he wrote on social media. He added that there had been “no response to our legal letter, no response to our emails, no response to my letter to the Chairman,” calling the situation unwarranted and disappointing.

Multan Sultans voice concerns amid stalled talks and looming PSL expansion

According to Tareen, Multan’s exclusion has also raised eyebrows among rival teams. “Even other franchise reps have asked why Multan is not being included in the valuation and renewal process. No response,” he stated. He stressed that the matter was only made public because all private attempts to resolve it had been ignored. “It is simply because PSL management refuse to engage with us,” he said.

Since the PCB will not communicate with us, here is an update we can share ourselves.

Over the past month we have sent multiple emails to the PSL management, asking for our valuation and renewal letter (which every other team has already received). But there has been no…

— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) November 19, 2025

ALSO SEE: List of players to score ODI centuries against all Test-playing Nations ft. Shai Hope

The disagreement comes at a sensitive time for the league. The PCB recently confirmed that two new franchises will be introduced, initiating a tender process for fresh ownership rights. It also announced that the independent valuation for existing teams had been completed, with renewal offers shared with what the board termed “compliant” franchises. The PCB has reportedly held meetings with other teams to explain the valuation model and address concerns.

Tareen warned that Multan may be forced into legal action if the “ghosting” continues, though he maintained that it was a move the franchise wanted to avoid. He regretted how the issue had escalated, saying it “could have easily been solved over tea and biscuits, but fragile egos make simple things difficult.”

What once seemed like a manageable disagreement has now grown into a public standoff, leaving questions over Multan Sultans’ future unresolved as the PSL edges toward a crucial new chapter of expansion and commercial restructuring.

In a stunning twist that’s gripped Pakistan’s cricket community, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a legal notice to Ali Khan Tareen, the outspoken co-owner of Multan Sultans. The PCB has demanded that Tareen retract his recent criticisms of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) management and issue a public apology. Failure to comply, the board warns, could result in the termination of Multan Sultans’ franchise agreement and a lifetime ban on Tareen from owning any cricket team in the future.

This explosive development comes just months before the PSL’s original 11-year franchise contracts expire in December, throwing uncertainty over the league’s stability. The conflict stems from Tareen’s vocal dissatisfaction with the PSL’s management, which he accused of lacking transparency and vision. In a series of social media posts and interviews, Tareen openly mocked the league’s operations, from draft procedures to the quality of the opening ceremony. “How will PSL 10 be bigger and better with the same teams and games?” he asked in one viral clip, sparking heated debate among fans.

Ali Tareen’s clash with the PCB sparks major tension ahead of PSL 11

The PCB, however, views his outbursts as a breach of the franchise agreement. Officials claim his remarks have harmed the league’s reputation, especially with re-bidding for all six franchises, and two new ones, on the horizon. The board’s letter, revealed on October 23, warned Tareen of potential blacklisting from all future PSL involvement.

ALSO SEE: Off the field controversial moments of Gautam Gambhir ft. feud with MS Dhoni fans

Tareen’s reaction was characteristically defiant. In a video that went viral on X (formerly Twitter), he dramatically tore up the legal notice, offering a sarcastic “apology” to the PCB. “I’m sorry for wanting the mic to work and the show to start on time,” he quipped, drawing laughter and applause online.

The Multan Sultans management stood firmly behind their owner, calling the PCB’s move “pettiness in the face of honest criticism.” Fans are split, some praising Tareen’s courage, others accusing him of immaturity.

As PSL 11 approaches, this confrontation has become more than a personal feud, it’s a test of whether Pakistan cricket can embrace accountability and dialogue or continue down the path of confrontation.

PCB Demands

The Multan Sultans’ owner, Ali Khan Tareen, has responded to the legal notice he has been sent by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). They have accused Tareen of violating several rules in their 10-year contract, as the PSL team ownership will expire next December, which marks the end of the event’s first decade.

Multan Sultans, one of the successful franchises of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), have revealed that the board threatened to backlist their owners. They also asked them to apologize publicly for criticizing the management of the league. Tareen raised his voice in his criticism of the management over the past year, particularly regarding communication issues.  

See Also: [WATCH] Tilak Varma reveals story of how BCCI and Akash Ambani helped him to overcome 'Rhabdomyolysis' disease after IPL 2022

“The PCB last month sent a legal notice to Multan Sultans, demanding that our owner, Ali Tareen, retract all recent critical statements and issue a public apology to the PSL management. The notice threatens termination of our franchise agreement and a lifetime blacklist of Mr. Tareen from owning any cricket team in the future.” Multan Sultan sent a statement.

Watch: Ali Khan Tareen laughs at Mohsin Naqvi’s PCB to tear their legal notice

In a video posted by Tareen on his ‘X’ account (formerly known as Twitter), he summarized the demands of the board before blaming the board’s approach to handling the disagreements. He accused the PSL officials of being surrounded by yes-men on every occasion and not willing to accept the criticism. He stressed that the league belongs to the fans and all of Pakistan.

The PSL Management has sent me a notice threatening to cancel Multan Sultans unless I offer them a public apology. Hazir Saeen. pic.twitter.com/yHWCcClXaD

— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) October 23, 2025

While Tareen’s legal advisors suggested against the apology, he went forward mocking the league for the sake of improving the franchise event. He reiterated his criticisms from the past regarding the unprofessional conduct and the frustration of the mismanagement. He also sarcastically lauded the lip syncing of the performers.

Tareen continued in the same tone and apologized for being 10 minutes late for a Zoom meeting, pointing out the flaws of the tournament logistically. He made a dramatic ending to the video by tearing up the legal notice, with a smirk of ‘I hope you like my apology video.”

In a major shake-up in Pakistan’s T20 landscape, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a formal termination notice to the owners of Multan Sultans, signaling the potential end of the franchise’s long-standing association with the league at the conclusion of PSL 10. The move comes amid growing tensions over franchise renewal policies and revenue-sharing structures, leaving the Sultans’ future in limbo.

Multan Sultans, under the ownership of Ali Tareen since 2018, have been one of the most successful teams in PSL history. The franchise has qualified for the playoffs every season since its debut, winning one championship in 2021 (PSL 6) and finishing as runners-up four times, including in PSL 10 earlier this year. Stars like Mohammad Rizwan, Shane Watson, Rilee Rossouw, and David Miller have donned the Sultans jersey, making the team a powerhouse in the league.

However, financial strain has plagued the franchise. Multan Sultans was acquired in 2017 for a record $5.2 million per season, significantly higher than original PSL teams like Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings. Under PCB rules, renewing owners must pay their original fee plus 25% or match a new market valuation, pushing Multan’s renewal cost beyond $6.5 million annually. Tareen has openly criticized the economics, noting the franchise has not been profitable under these terms and opting not to renew. Instead, he plans to rebid in a fresh auction, hoping for a more sustainable deal.

PCB Prepares for PSL 11 Expansion as Multan Sultans’ Future Hangs in the Balance

The PCB, chaired by Mohsin Naqvi, emphasized fairness and transparency in the rebidding process, particularly as PSL prepares to expand with two new teams for its 11th season. While the board sees Tareen’s exit as a chance to attract fresh investment, questions remain about player retention, especially for stars like Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed.

ALSO SEE: [WATCH] Virat Kohli thanks Adelaide crowd after four-ball duck during AUS vs IND 2nd ODI

Fans have expressed outrage over the potential upheaval, with #SaveMultanSultans trending on social media. The Sultans’ passionate fan base considers the team a symbol of Punjab pride, reflecting the energy and excitement the franchise brings to the league.

As PSL 10 nears its conclusion, the franchise’s final season under Tareen unfolds, with the team chasing playoff glory. Meanwhile, the off-season auction will determine whether the Sultans remain in Tareen’s hands or enter a new chapter in PSL history.

Multan Sultans Legacy:

• PSL Debut: PSL 3
• Championships: 1 (2021)
• Runner-up Finishes: 4
• Notable Players: Mohammad Rizwan, Shane Watson, David Miller, Rilee Rossouw