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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.  

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“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.

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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

Peshawar Zalmi (PES) got back to back victorious in the ongoing tenth season of the Pakistan Super League. Zalmi faced an out of form Multan Sultans (MS), the bottom most team in the ten league-tournament points table. Peshawar won the match 25 of ISL 10 by 7 wickets, 42 balls to spare. 

Toss and the first innings 

Multan Sultans was the first team to bat in this match after their skipper Mohammad Rizwan decided after winning the toss. Sultans batting performance was not something to glorify about. Their top tier batter tried as much as possible to create a solid foundation for a handsome, but they field miserably. MS lost all their 10 wickets in 19.1 with only 108 runs in hand. Ahmed Daniyal claimed 3 three wickets for Peshawar Zalmi. 

The second innings 

The tatget was easy, team was on form, Peshawar Zalmi did not take the match too long to conclude. Bowlers of Multan Sultans unable to produce significant moments for their team as they were looking completely helpless against Saim Ayub and Max Bryant duo. Ayub scored 49 and Bryant remain not out for 38. Shahid Aziz took a couple of wickets for Multan Sultans. 

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Babar Azam, captain of Peshawar Zalmi said after the game, "The way Saim Ayub batted today, we’ve been waiting a long time for that. Alhamdulillah, it’s important for Peshawar that he’s back in form. When he’s at the crease, he can change the game."

Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi full match scoreboard 

Multan Sultans- 108/10 (19.1 Overs)

Peshawar Zalmi- 110/3 (13 Overs)

The excitement is building for a thrilling showdown in PSL 2025 as Multan Sultans take on Peshawar Zalmi at the iconic Multan Cricket Stadium today, May 05. With both teams aiming to get an early edge in the tournament, the weather and pitch conditions are expected to play a key role in determining the match outcome.​

Match Details:

• Date: May 05, 2025
• Match: Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi 
• Time: 8:30 PM PKT
• Venue: Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
• Win % Batting First: 64%
• Win % Bowling First: 36%​

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Weather and Pitch Conditions:

Weather:

• Temperature: Expected to peak at 41°C (106°F) during the day, cooling to around 21°C (70°F) by evening.
• Conditions: Clear skies with no chance of rain, ensuring an uninterrupted match.
• Humidity: Low, but players should stay hydrated due to the high daytime temperatures.​

Pitch:

• Nature: Batting-friendly surface offering true bounce, ideal for stroke play.
• First Innings Advantage: Teams batting first have won 7 out of 11 matches, indicating a significant advantage.
• Average Scores: First innings average score is 174, while the second innings average is 147.
• Bowling: Pacers have been more successful, accounting for 72% of wickets, especially effective in the early overs.
• Spinners: May find some assistance in the middle overs but are generally less effective compared to pacers.​

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Venue Records:

• Highest Team Total: 210/3 by Multan Sultans against Peshawar Zalmi.
• Lowest Team Total: 110 all out by Quetta Gladiators against Multan Sultans.
• Most Runs: Rilee Rossouw with 375 runs at this venue.
• Best Bowling Figures: Ihsanullah's 5 wickets for 12 runs in 4 overs.​

Given the conditions, winning the toss and opting to bat first could provide a strategic advantage.

In this crucial Match 25 halfway through PSL 2025, Multan Sultans (MUL) will try to use their home state to their advantage to support their playoff bid in this game against Peshawar Zalmi (PES) and its powerful batting lineup on a potentially high-scoring Multan pitch. 

Head-to-Head Record

Multan Sultans (MUL) and Peshawar Zalmi (PES) have faced off 16 times in the PSL since 2018, with MUL dominating the rivalry:

• MUL Wins: 11
• PES Wins: 5
• No Result/Tied: 0
• Win Percentage: MUL has a 68.75% win rate against PES.

MUL has traditionally dominated PES, including winning the PSL 2024 Qualifier by 7 wickets; however, PES came back this season with a huge victory, winning by 120 runs in PSL 2025 Match 9. The Multan Cricket Stadium has a pitch conducive to good batting, so if PES’s big hitters, such as Babar Azam and Mohammad Haris, can get going, then they will be tough to stop. Conversely, MUL has two spinners (Usama Mir and Michael Bracewell) who, if they can find any turn, may be able to sneak in and help their middle order with their variations.

Remarkable Matchups Between MUL and PES

PSL 2025, Match 9—April 19, Rawalpindi (Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium)

• PES: 227/7 (20 overs)
• MUL: 107/10 (15.5 overs)
• Result: Peshawar Zalmi won by 120 runs

PES has scored 227/7, Tom Kohler-Cadmore scored 52 off 30, Mohammad Haris scored 45 off 21, and Abdul Samad scored 40 off 14. MUL was 107 all out, with Usman Khan's 44 off 22 the only worth mentioning, when Ali Raza (4 for 21) and Arif Yaqoob (3 for 20) destroyed the top order. Abdul Samad was the Player of the Match for his explosive knock.

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PSL 2024, Qualifier (1 v 2)—March 14, Karachi (National Stadium)

• PES: 146/7 (20 overs)
• MUL: 147/3 (18.3 overs)
• Result: Multan Sultans won by 7 wickets

PES scored 146/7, with Babar Azam scoring 46 off 42; however, MUL's quarter infectious Usama Mir (2 wickets) and Chris Jordan confined them. Following that, the chase was easy for MUL; Yasir Khan scored 54, and Usman Khan was there at the end on 36*, along with Iftikhar Ahmed. Usama Mir was the Player of the Match for his performance.

PSL 2021, Final—June 24, Abu Dhabi (Sheikh Zayed Stadium)

• MUL: 206/4 (20 overs)
• PES: 159/9 (20 overs)
• Result: Multan Sultans won by 47 runs

MUL scored 206/4, with Sohaib Maqsood scoring 65* off 35 balls and Rilee Rossouw scoring 50 off 21 balls. PES scored 159/9, with Kamran Akmal scoring 36, the top score, while Blessing Muzarabani (2/26) and Sohail Tanvir (3 wickets) performed excellently. Maqsood was the Player of the Match for his match-defining innings.