In a significant development ahead of the 2026 Pakistan Super League season, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing to assume full control of the Multan Sultans franchise, following the expiration of the current ownership agreement at the end of 2025.
The move comes in the wake of former owner Ali Tareen’s announcement in November that he would be stepping away from the team, ending a tumultuous chapter marked by persistent differences between the franchise and the cricket board.
According to a report by GeoNews, PCB officials have confirmed that a final policy decision on the franchise’s interim management is expected within a week. If approved, the board will manage Multan Sultans for the 2026 season, with plans to auction the team to new ownership in 2027.
One-year control model offers financial upside and trade-offs
The PCB’s short-term takeover is expected to provide notable financial relief. By operating the team itself, the board could save up to $4 million in 2026. This includes avoiding a $3 million payout from the central revenue pool and an additional $1 million in sponsorship contributions.
However, the savings come at a cost. An audit firm’s analysis has pointed out that the PCB will forgo the franchise fee for that year — a substantial amount that would otherwise be part of the league’s revenue inflow.
Despite this trade-off, the PCB appears to view the transitional arrangement as either strategically sound or legally necessary, or both – allowing the board time to reset the franchise’s direction and prepare for a new ownership model through public auction the following year.
Ali Tareen exit follows long-standing tensions with PCB
Ali Tareen’s departure from the PSL franchise follows over a year of reportedly strained relations with the PCB. Though no official reason was given publicly, insiders have pointed to ongoing friction over contractual matters and governance issues between both parties.
Tareen, alongside his late uncle Alamgir Tareen, had acquired Multan Sultans in December 2018 for $6.3 million after the franchise’s original owners, the Schon Group, failed to meet payment obligations. That Schon Group’s agreement, signed for $5.2 million, had made Multan the most expensive PSL franchise at the time — double the value of the Karachi Kings’ deal.
Under the Tareens, Multan Sultans emerged as one of the league’s most competitive teams. Yet, despite their on-field success, off-field disagreements with the PCB eventually led to a complete breakdown in relations and the eventual ownership handover.
With the PSL leadership already focused on adding two expansion teams ahead of the 11th edition, Multan’s off-field developments add yet another layer of workload to the league’s planning, yet at the same time eliminate what had become an ongoing high-profile drama and distraction.
