PSL 11 expansion opens door for Ali Tareen’s comeback
Just weeks after a public and contentious departure from Multan Sultans, Ali Tareen is now firmly back in the mix for Pakistan Super League (PSL) ownership—this time, with a brand-new franchise.
In what marks a significant shift in the evolving relationship between Tareen and the league, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that Tareen is free to participate in the upcoming PSL franchise auction.
“If they wish to, they can do it. There’s no problem,” Naqvi said during a press conference when asked about Tareen’s eligibility to bid.
Naqvi further clarified that there were no lingering issues that would block Tareen’s return to franchise ownership, despite the public disputes that followed the end of his tenure at Multan. “I don’t want to go into this matter. Ali has done a lot of work for Multan Sultans. Unfortunately, whatever happened was a separate issue, and I don’t want to discuss it. But technically, we would fully welcome him, and if he wants to join a new team, that would be his choice,” he added.
From bitter farewell to new ambitions
Ali Tareen’s exit from Multan Sultans in November 2025 was anything but quiet. As the PSL board moved to restructure franchise contracts, offering all existing teams revised deals—except for Multan—tensions reached a boiling point.
Tareen, who had repeatedly voiced criticism of the PSL’s governance through social media and podcast appearances, publicly rejected PCB’s conditions for renewal. When the board reportedly demanded an unconditional apology and deletion of his posts, he chose to walk away.
“I would rather lose this team while standing on my feet than run it from my knees. So, this is goodbye,” he declared in a statement on social media platform X (Formerly Twitter) in November.
To all Multan Sultans fans,
Being part of this team has been one of the greatest honours of my life. I love the fans, I love this team, and I absolutely love being able to represent South Punjab. Something my late uncle Alamgir Tareen was especially proud of.
Every season, I…
— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) November 25, 2025
Despite that highly visible farewell, Tareen never ruled out a return to PSL ownership—just not under what he viewed as unfair terms.
Bidding for new teams attracts international interest
Now, as the PSL prepares to expand from six to eight teams starting with its 11th edition in 2026, the PCB has opened the bidding process for two new franchises. The auction will take place on January 8 at the Islamabad Convention Centre, and 12 business entities have already submitted bid documents.
According to a report by Tribune’s Salim Khaliq, the Tareen Group is among those competing for ownership, alongside firms from Pakistan, the UAE, the United States, Australia, and Canada. Bidders include companies in real estate, solar energy, mobile technology, and other industries, with several having formed consortiums to strengthen their chances.
Eligible franchises will be awarded 10-year ownership rights from 2026 to 2035. Each bidder must pay a one-time registration fee of US$ 1 million and can choose their team’s location from options including Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, or Gilgit—though custom proposals will be considered with PCB approval.
Multan Sultans contract ends, clearing path for eligibility
Under PSL rules, current franchise owners cannot bid for new teams. However, the contract between Multan Sultans and the Tareen Group officially expires on December 31, 2025—making Tareen eligible for the January auction.
This marks the end of a complex chapter for Multan Sultans. Originally brought into the league in 2017 by Schon Properties, the team changed hands in 2018 after the previous owners defaulted on payments. The Tareen family stepped in, with Ali Khan Tareen taking full control following the passing of his uncle, Alamgir Tareen, in 2023.
Multan had been the most expensive franchise in the league, paying an annual fee of PKR 1.08 billion (approx. US$ 3.9 million), and valued at PKR 1.35 billion (approx. US$ 4.8 million) by a foreign firm. New franchises are expected to sell in the range of PKR 1.25 to 1.5 billion (approx. US$ 4.5–5.4 million).
With the PCB now managing Multan Sultans on an interim basis for PSL 11, its future ownership structure remains uncertain. However, what is clear is that Ali Tareen will not be part of it—and his focus has already shifted.
Signs of reconciliation after past turbulence
While Tareen has yet to make an official statement since the press conference, his tone in recent weeks has suggested optimism. After the conflict-filled departure, he publicly acknowledged that things were moving in a better direction—a notable change in sentiment.
With PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirming that “there’s no problem” with Tareen bidding and expressing a willingness to “fully welcome him,” the stage is now set for one of the PSL’s most outspoken former owners to make a dramatic return.
As the league expands and new teams emerge, the next chapter for Ali Khan Tareen—and perhaps PSL itself—could look very different from the one that just ended.
