The Multan Sultans franchise is entering a new era in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially confirmed that the auction for the team’s ownership rights will take place on February 9, 2026, in Lahore.
Auction² 👀
Multan Team Auction | 9 February 2026 |
📍 Lahore#HBLPSL | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/lLdfdUgEtm— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 4, 2026
With no current owner following the conclusion of the Tareen family’s decade-long agreement after PSL 10, the Sultans are now poised for a fresh start—one that will include both a new ownership group and an entirely rebuilt playing squad.
Five bidders in the race after “transparent evaluation”
The bidding process to acquire the rights for the 2021 champions has drawn significant interest. According to the PCB:
“A total of six proposals were received from interested parties within the stipulated deadline. The PCB bid committee then carried out a thorough and transparent evaluation process,” the cricket board had said in a statement, according to Geo Super.
Following this evaluation, the PCB confirmed that five of those proposals met the required criteria.
“Out of the six proposals, five (5) bidders have been termed technically qualified, who will now take part in the Auction process of the Multan Sultans. The date and venue for the Auction will be shared in due course,” it added.
The successful bidder will take control of one of PSL’s most commercially valuable teams ahead of the 11th edition of the league.
PSL CEO: “Exciting times await”
HBL PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer expressed optimism about the process and its broader impact on the league.
“We are delighted to receive such keen interest in the sale of Multan Sultans’ Franchise Rights. The HBL PSL congratulates the technically qualified bidders and appreciates all parties who engaged with us throughout the tender process. We will continue to explore other exciting opportunities,” he said.
“I’m sure the fans are equally excited for another thrilling Team Auction before the focus shifts to the all-important Player Auction for HBL PSL 11. The final lineup of the eight HBL PSL team owners is going to set the ball rolling for the new era of the HBL PSL 11.”
“Stay tuned for further updates from HBL PSL. Exciting times await,” Naseer added.
Multan Sultans go all-in with clean slate and full purse
As the only PSL franchise to opt for zero player retentions ahead of the 2026 tournament, the “Multan Sultans will enter the PSL Players Auction with zero retentions and a full USD 1.6 million in the purse,” the franchise wrote.
This sets the stage for a potentially game-changing auction strategy. While other teams have already announced key retentions—such as Shaheen Shah Afridi for Lahore Qalandars, Shadab Khan for Islamabad United, and Babar Azam for Peshawar Zalmi—the Sultans will have the freedom and financial firepower to build a squad from scratch.
The squads begin to take shape ✨
Franchises have confirmed their player retentions for HBL PSL 2026, ahead of the upcoming Player Auction!
Read more: https://t.co/faaoexLfrb#HBLPSL | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/6Wg3tdTMTl
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 3, 2026
The team is expected to assemble a 16 to 20-member roster at the auction, which will be held on February 11, 2026.
✨ First ever HBL PSL 11 PLAYER AUCTION ✨
A #NewEra Begins
📅 Date: Wednesday, 11th February 2026
Read more: https://t.co/5WDJrVccPL#HBLPSL pic.twitter.com/6XQDTi6tWf
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) January 25, 2026
A fresh chapter for PSL 11
With a new ownership group incoming and a complete roster overhaul on the cards, Multan Sultans are poised to be one of the most closely watched teams heading into PSL 11.
This dual auction setup—first for the franchise, then for the players—marks a critical inflection point for the league and especially for Multan, which now has the chance to reshape its identity both on and off the field.
All eyes will be on February 9, when the future of the Sultans is decided.
