Dispute escalates between Multan Sultans and PCB
Tensions between Multan Sultans and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reached a breaking point, with franchise owner Ali Khan Tareen threatening legal action over what he claims is prolonged silence and exclusion from the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) ongoing franchise valuation and renewal process.
The conflict, simmering for over a month, erupted into public view this week as Tareen accused PSL management of refusing to engage with the franchise despite repeated outreach through multiple channels. His frustrations come amid the PCB’s announcement of two new PSL franchises and the completion of an independent valuation exercise for existing teams.
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Tareen outlined the franchise’s repeated attempts to contact the PSL administration. “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 continued, “No response to our legal letter, no response to our emails, no response to my letter to the chairman.”
Tareen revealed that even other PSL franchises have raised questions about why Multan is being left out of the loop, but those concerns have similarly gone unanswered. “Even other franchise reps have asked why Multan is not being included in the valuation and renewal process. No response.”
Tareen said the matter had spilled into the public domain only because all private efforts at communication had failed. He explained that the franchise had tried repeatedly to resolve the issue discreetly, but with no engagement from PSL management, taking it public had become unavoidable. “For those asking why this is not being handled behind closed doors, it is simply because the PSL management refuse to engage with us.”
PCB defends transparency of valuation process
Following the completion of the PSL’s independent valuation exercise earlier in November, the PCB outlined the next steps for franchises in a public statement. The board noted, “Following the conclusion of this exercise, renewal offer letters reflecting the new franchise fees for the next 10 years have been formally shared with all compliant PSL franchises, requesting them to revert with their decision within the stipulated timeline.”
The statement further clarified efforts made to ensure openness around the process. “To ensure full transparency and facilitate a clear understanding of the valuations, the PCB has also arranged collective and individual meetings between franchise representatives and the independent valuer (EY MENA). These sessions will allow the franchises to review the valuation methodology and discuss any queries.”
“Fragile egos make simple things difficult”
Despite the PCB’s assertion of transparency, Tareen insists that Multan Sultans have been deliberately sidelined. While he expressed reluctance to take the matter to court, he warned that legal recourse may become unavoidable.
“If this ghosting continues, we will have no choice but to take legal action. Which is the absolute last thing we want to do,” he wrote in a statement.
In a pointed critique of PSL leadership, Tareen also wrote, “This entire situation is so unnecessary and could have easily been solved over tea and biscuits. But fragile egos make simple things difficult.”
His frustration was underscored with a final remark: “Let’s hope better sense prevails, but it is not looking likely.”
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
A rift that threatens the PSL’s unity
The dispute has emerged at a sensitive time for the PSL, as it prepares for expansion with two additional franchises and aims to strengthen its commercial base through renewed team agreements. But with Multan Sultans openly accusing the board of shutting them out, the controversy poses serious reputational risks for the PCB.
While both sides have expressed interest in partnership and progress in the past, the current deadlock reveals a broader issue of communication and governance within Pakistan’s flagship T20 league. Unless resolved swiftly, what began as a valuation exercise could evolve into a legal battle — one the league can ill afford on the eve of expansion.
