Pakistan Super League - PSL

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PCB may auction Multan Sultans before PSL11​

The board took over the team after expiry of the ownership last month

Sports Desk
January 11, 2026

Photo: PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to auction the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, buoyed by strong valuations achieved in the recent sale of two new teams, sources told Geo Super on Sunday.

The PCB last month announced it would take over the Multan Sultans following the expiry of the franchise’s ownership agreement on December 31, 2025, after owner Ali Tareen decided to step away. The board had initially planned to operate the franchise for one season before auctioning it in 2027.

If implemented, the interim arrangement was expected to save the PCB nearly $4 million, as the board would not have to contribute $3 million from the central revenue pool or an additional $1 million in sponsorship funding.

However, an audit report highlighted that the PCB would also forgo the $8.5 million annual franchise fee during the takeover year.

 

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In November, Tareen confirmed his departure from Multan Sultans through social media. Sources said relations between the PCB and the franchise owner had remained strained over the past year, eventually reaching a point of no return.

Multan Sultans were originally awarded as the sixth PSL team to the Schon Group under a $5.2 million deal, making it the most expensive franchise at the time—nearly double the price paid for Karachi Kings, which were sold for $2.6 million.

The decision to move towards an auction comes after the PCB secured robust valuations in the recent sale of two new franchises, Hyderabad and Sialkot, expanding the PSL to eight teams for its upcoming 11th edition.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on December 28 that the board would operate Multan Sultans for PSL 11, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026, before initiating the auction process.

“Multan Sultans will be operated by the PCB this year. After the PSL concludes, the franchise will be auctioned,” Naqvi told reporters, adding that an interim management structure would be appointed shortly.

The PSL, launched in 2016 with five teams and expanded to six in 2018, continues to grow. At a historic auction held at the Jinnah Convention Centre, FKS Group and OZ Developers secured the Hyderabad and Sialkot franchises for Rs1.75 billion and Rs1.85 billion, respectively, underlining the league’s rising commercial value.

 

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PSL body to make key decisions today​

CEO Salman Naseer says the players retention issue will also be discusses during the meeting

Saleem Khaliq
January 15, 2026

KARACHI: Direct signing, draft, or auction? The HBL Pakistan Super League Governing Council will make the final decision on Friday.

According to CEO Salman Naseer, while some franchises favor five or six player retentions, others are advocating for zero, but the board will make a decision after consulting all stakeholders. He added that the IPL schedule clash will have no impact on the Pakistan Super League.

In an exclusive interview with Tribune, Salman Naseer said that with eight teams now part of the league, the issue of player retention has become even more sensitive.

The existing franchises want to retain five or six players, while most of the new teams prefer no retention.

The board will make a decision after consulting all stakeholders. He added that, and a final decision will be taken in Friday’s Governing Council meeting after hearing all opinions.

On the player acquisition model, Salman said that direct signings, drafts, and auctions are all under consideration.

“Despite ongoing debates on social media, the Governing Council meeting will make the final call,” he clarified.

Speaking about the sale of new teams, Naseer said that the PCB had been in continuous contact with interested parties over the past several weeks.

 

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Before the bidding, there were roadshows, multiple meetings, financial feasibility reviews, and detailed consultations, due to which the board already anticipated that the bidding would go exceptionally high.

“The result was record-breaking, and everyone involved deserves congratulations,” he said.
Regarding foreign investment, Salman Naseer revealed that two groups one from Australia and one from the United States were among the prominent bidders.

However, he clarified that Pakistani investors were not weak, explaining that every bidder has their own financial limit and strategy.
“Some companies chose to wait, some didn’t bid at all, and others placed one or two early bids to assess the situation. Everyone had their own approach,” he said.

He acknowledged, however, that investors earning in foreign currency had an advantage, since payments were made in Pakistani rupees.

Discussing the financial prospects of the new franchises, Salman stated that a PSL team is not a banking product where you deposit money and immediately get returns.

“It’s a trophy asset owning a sports team anywhere in the world is considered an honor,” he said.

“One has to invest initially, and profits come over time. Success depends on the owner’s vision, capability, and management skills, and how they utilize this asset.”

The PCB has guaranteed the new teams at least 850 million rupees annually from the central revenue pool for five years.

 

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According to CEO PSL, the real success depends on the owners’ long-term planning and administrative competence.

“The older franchises have already gone through this phase and can guide the new ones. The PCB will also provide full support,” he said.

When asked about the previous owner of Multan Sultans, the temporary management plan for one year, and the eventual sale decision, Salman Naseer responded: “The advertisement has been released. We’re looking toward the future, not the past. If the previous owners return, we’ll talk to them too.”

Regarding the central income pool, he clarified that although franchise fees vary, all bidders were fully aware that profits would be shared equally through the central pool.

“This is neither a sudden nor unclear model — everyone made their decision with full understanding,” he said.

 

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Global expansion

On the global expansion of the PSL, Naseer revealed that discussions have begun with the Australian and American owners about how to connect the PSL to those markets.

“This opens a new avenue of opportunities for the league’s future,” he said.
When asked about last year fewer matches in Karachi, he said that Karachi Kings had five home games last season, and the same number would continue this time.

“Since Hyderabad has joined the league, some of their matches may also be held in Karachi. The aim is to re-engage Karachi’s fans,” he added.

Naseer further said that both Hyderabad and Sialkot now have HBL PSL franchises, and the PCB wants to host home matches in these cities as soon as possible.

“Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s focus is on upgrading stadiums and improving fan experience. Once these venues meet international standards, they’ll become permanent PSL hosts.

Including Faisalabad this year is part of the same policy,” he noted.

Regarding franchise activities, he explained that each team forms its own marketing and development strategy.

“Some remain active throughout the year, while others limit themselves to a few activities,” he said.

“However, this year the PSL has introduced new regulations, including special incentives for champions, runners-up, and franchises contributing significantly to cricket development.”
“With two new teams joining, competition will intensify, and all franchises will have to stay active,” he added.

 

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PSL Franchises agree on players’ auction​

The process will be implemented after the PCB chairman’s approval

Saleem Khaliq
January 18, 2026

The race to own a Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise has intensified. Photo: PCB/File

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KARACHI: For the first time in the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), a player auction will be held. In a meeting held yesterday with CEO Salman Naseer, most of the franchises agreed to the auction format. Once approved by the PCB Chairman, it will be implemented.

On Sunday, a workshop will be organized to brief the team owners about the auction procedures. Meanwhile, all five of the original franchises have demanded to retain four players each, including their brand ambassadors. The new teams, however, have asked for zero retentions. A final decision on this matter will also be made by the Chairman.

It is worth mentioning that during the PSL Governing Council meeting on Friday, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had tried to convince the team owners to adopt the open auction model, emphasizing that it would be greatly beneficial for the players.

Earlier, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has proposed that franchises adopt an open auction formula, and the matter will be further discussed in the Governing Council meeting scheduled for Saturday.

 

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HBL-PSL-11 to start on March 26​

Muhammad Saleem

LAHORE: The Governing Council of the HBL Pakistan Super League, which met here at the National Cricket Academy, held discussions on various matters including the schedule of the HBL-PSL- 11, player retentions, adoption of the player auction or a unique combination of auction and the option of opening direct signings.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi chaired the meeting, while all the eight HBL PSL franchises were represented along with PCB and PSL officials.

The meeting began with Chairman PCB and all participants congratulating and welcoming the new team owners of Sialkot and Hyderabad to the HBL PSL family.

Chairman PCB and the HBL PSL team were also congratulated on the successful conduct of the New Teams Auction, which reflected growth and evolution of the league.

It was decided that the HBL PSL 11 will kick off on Thursday, 26 March as the fans, players and stakeholders look forward to entering the New Era of the league.

The meeting was adjourned with the constitution of a working group to meet on Saturday to deliberate further on agenda items, where after the Governing council meeting will be reconvened immediately as necessary.

 

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PSL Franchises Approve Auction Model for Season 11

All eight PSL franchises, including new additions Sialkot and Hyderabad, agreed to switch from the draft to a player auction for season 11 during meetings at Lahore's National Cricket Academy.

The five original teams can retain four players each—one per category—while building the rest through bidding with a $1.5 million purse per side.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi pushed the change for greater fairness and competitiveness, with auctions set for early February ahead of the March 26 opener.

 

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The name and logo of the new Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, acquired by OZ Developers earlier this month and allocated to Sialkot, were finally unveiled on Wednesday.

Sialkot team owner Kamil Khan unveiled ‘Sialkot Stallionz’ as his franchise’s name today in a social media post.

“Excited to be part of the Pakistan Super League journey,” he wrote on X.


Khan

 

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