Valuation surges ahead of anticipated Multan Sultans auction
Multan Sultans is set to be the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) next major commercial milestone, with its final sale price expected to exceed PKR 2 billion (approx. US$ 7 million). According to a report by The Express Tribune’s Saleem Khaliq, both local and international interest has gathered pace, setting up what insiders believe could be one of the most competitive auctions in the league’s history.
The valuation leap follows the recent high-priced sales of the Hyderabad and Sialkot franchises, which were acquired for PKR 1.75 billion (approx. US$ 6.25 million) and PKR 1.85 billion (approx. US$ 6.6 million) respectively. These deals have reset expectations across the board and pushed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to target a significantly higher figure for Multan.
According to the report, at least two companies have already signaled their readiness to bid around PKR 2 billion (approx. US$ 7 million), reflecting the growing financial appeal of PSL teams in the open market.
Ali Tareen returns as a key contender in renewed bidding race
Ali Khan Tareen, former owner of the Multan Sultans, is now reportedly back in contention to reclaim the franchise. As per The Express Tribune, Tareen previously expressed willingness to repurchase the team at PKR 1.35 billion (approx. US$ 4.8 million), a figure tied to Multan’s earlier valuation. However, the PCB rejected the proposal, insisting that all interested parties must go through a transparent auction.
Tareen had also shown interest during the bidding for two of the PSL’s newly introduced franchises. He is now expected to enter the Multan auction formally, competing under the same open criteria as other potential buyers.
While his presence adds high-profile weight to the process, the final outcome will hinge on how the bidding unfolds, with competition expected to be fierce among a mix of returning stakeholders and new contenders.
February 9 set as auction date with strong international interest
The PCB is likely to schedule the Multan Sultans franchise auction on February 9 in Lahore, as reported by GEO News. The deadline for technical bid submissions has been set for February 2, after which only qualified bidders will advance to the next round.
International participation is expected to be significant. Several foreign groups have reportedly expressed interest in acquiring Multan Sultans — a reflection of the PSL’s rising profile and global investment potential. The base price for the auction is projected to exceed PKR 170 crore (approx. US$ 6 million), signaling continued upward momentum in franchise valuations.
The PCB has described Multan Sultans as a premier asset within the league, highlighting its established brand presence and loyal fanbase. With commercial success central to the PSL’s long-term strategy, this sale marks a critical step in the board’s monetization roadmap.
Final announcement expected after auction concludes
Once the auction concludes, the new owner of Multan Sultans is expected to be confirmed shortly afterward. The franchise previously operated under an annual fee of PKR 1.08 billion (approx. US$ 4 million), but that benchmark is expected to be significantly exceeded in the upcoming deal.
As the bidding deadline nears and anticipation builds, Multan Sultans stands poised to become one of the highest-valued teams in PSL history — setting a new precedent for franchise economics in Pakistan’s premier cricket league.
