PCB accelerates Multan Sultans sale amid rising investor appetite
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is moving swiftly to auction the Multan Sultans franchise well before the start of PSL 11, abandoning earlier plans to wait until after the season concludes.
According to multiple outlets (ESPNcricinfo and GeoSuper), the board is actively exploring the earliest possible window to finalize the sale, aiming to capitalize on an upswing in franchise valuations following the high-profile auctions of new teams Hyderabad and Sialkot.
Those teams fetched bids of PKR 1.75 billion (approx. US$ 6.25 million) and PKR 1.85 billion (approx. US$ 6.6 million) respectively — nearly triple the franchise fee of established PSL sides like Lahore Qalandars. The unexpectedly strong response from bidders has made PCB officials confident that Multan Sultans, already a proven brand with a PSL title in 2021 and eight seasons of participation, could command an even higher price.
PSL chief executive Salman Naseer echoed this optimism at a press conference following the auction, saying, “Stage saja hua hai, Multan bhi announce kar dein [the stage is set, let’s auction Multan Sultans off as well],” in a direct appeal to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Legal timing and auction process still being finalized
Despite the strong momentum, no final decision has been taken yet. Procedural constraints have played a role in delaying an earlier auction — particularly the rules outlined by Pakistan’s Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), which require specific lead times for public sales.
The PCB had initially planned to run Multan Sultans through the 2026 season before initiating an auction afterward. That strategy was publicly outlined by Mohsin Naqvi, who stated during a media conference, “As soon as the PSL ends, we will auction the franchise off, and in the next eight to ten days, we will appoint an acting head to run the franchise.”
He reaffirmed the interim operational plan by adding, “Multan Sultans will be operated by the PCB this year. Once the PSL concludes, we will carry out the auction and put the franchise up for sale. For this season, the board will run the Sultans.”
Interim management and financial dynamics
To keep the team operational during this transitional phase, the PCB intends to install a temporary management team. “We will appoint an acting head within the next eight to ten days to oversee the team. A professional cricketer will also be brought in to manage Multan Sultans for this season,” Naqvi confirmed.
This plan comes after former owner Ali Tareen ended his association with the franchise in dramatic fashion on December 31, 2025, citing irreconcilable differences with PSL management. While Tareen said the decision was rooted in principle, financial aspects — including a markup for long-term renewal — were also influential.
The PCB had initially floated the idea of operating the franchise for one season to avoid immediate losses. That plan was estimated to save the board US$ 4 million in central pool and sponsorship expenses — but at the cost of losing out on a potential franchise fee for the year. The revised approach suggests that the board now sees more value in cashing in on current market enthusiasm.
Pressure mounting ahead of PSL 11 start
With the PSL 11 season set to begin on March 26, time is running out to finalize not only the sale and implement operational structures. The PCB is also yet to confirm whether team squads will be formed through a player draft or an auction — adding another layer of urgency to the decision-making.
Despite the logistical uncertainties, internal momentum is clearly building toward a pre-season sale. If the sale does go through before the start of the season, it would mark a significant shift in PSL’s commercial strategy — one driven by market timing, investor interest, and the growing value of T20 franchises across the region.
