Pakistan Super League - PSL

Naseem, Faheem fetch record fees at PSL's first-ever auction​


For PKR 86.5 million, Naseem moved from Islamabad to Rawalpindi, while Ashraf returned to Islamabad for PKR 85 million

Danyal Rasool

1773663747716.png

Naseem Shah has moved from Islamabad to Rawalpindi • ICC/Getty Images

Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf were the big winners at the PSL's first-ever auction, fetching the highest prices. For PKR 86.5 million, Naseem moved from Islamabad United across town to the new team set up in Islamabad's twin city, Rawalpindi, while Faheem returned to Islamabad United for PKR 85 million.

With the number of retentions each team was allowed had been slashed from eight to four, there was a clear pattern of players being snapped up by their former sides as franchises looked to consolidate their squads. Karachi Kings captain in 2025, David Warner, returned to the franchise for PKR 79 million, while Lahore Qalandars were keen to secure the services of Haris Rauf again, picking him up for PKR 76 million. They paid even more to retain Fakhar Zaman, shelling out PKR 79.5 million.

Rilee Rossouw was another player heading back to the side where he first made his name in the PSL. Quetta Gladiators, whom he helped win their only title in 2022, bought the South African for PKR 55 million, while Hasan Ali returned to Karachi for PKR 47.6 million.
 

Gohar Shah reveals plan to reshape Multan Sultans​


The franchise will undergo a major rebuild with its camp starting March 22 under captain Ashton Turner

Saleem Khaliq
March 17, 2026

tribune


KARACHI: The new owner has resolved to transform Multan Sultans into a better version. Gohar Shah said that the team’s camp will begin on March 22.

“Ashton Turner has experience playing on Pakistani pitches, and having such an experienced captain will be highly beneficial for other players, especially the younger ones,” he said.

He added that the franchise will incur losses initially, but he hopes revenue will start increasing from the fourth year onward. He also mentioned that he was a left-arm fast bowler and might still have been playing if he hadn’t suffered a back injury. In the future, he also wishes for PSL matches to be held in England.

He expressed these views in an exclusive interview with Express Tribune from London. Gohar Shah said that when he couldn’t secure a franchise during the auction, he had no idea that things would turn out this way later. “However, I have always believed that whatever happens is for the better,” he said.
 
Gohar Shah said that on the day of the players’ auction, he learned that an external investor had acquired 75% shares from Sialkot. “I realized that if shares were being sold, there might be financial issues, but since the deal seemed complete, I stayed out of it. The new partner sent a bank pay order to the PCB, which turned out to be fake or at least was never cashed. That’s when I realized the original ownership group would need support. Eventually, matters progressed, and the team came under our control,” he said.

“My intention was always to buy Multan Sultans if I ever entered PSL. Through a strategic partnership, we acquired a significant number of shares, although I did not disclose the exact percentage. However, the team’s operations are now under our control,” he added.

Responding to a question, he said that Ali Tareen is a very good person and has been supportive. “We remain in contact, and Ali’s team assisted with transferring social media accounts and other matters, even sending the mascot ‘Saeen’ costume. There is no issue between us and I even invited Ali to watch matches,” he said.
 
Gohar Shah said that we have made several changes to the team, adding seven new players, trading two from other franchises, and directly signing five players. “Discussions regarding further trades are ongoing, and the team will be shaped exactly as we envisioned,” he said.

He said the decision to appoint the captain was made in consultation with coach Tim Paine and other coaching staff. “Ashton Turner has been part of a Big Bash champion team for five out of the last eight years and has served as captain three times in the last five years.

He has previously played for Multan Sultans and understands Pakistani conditions well. His experience will greatly help the team, especially younger players, as he knows how to win tournaments.

The team camp will begin on March 22 with full participation from players and coaching staff,” he added.
 
On financial matters, he said the franchise will face losses initially, which we are prepared to bear for up to three years. “After that, they will review the situation. I hope revenue will grow from sponsorships, partnerships, and the next media rights deal. For now, losses are expected, but not to the extent that the team cannot be sustained till 10 years,” he said.

He also shared that my cricket journey has been long. “I wanted to become a cricketer since childhood, played Under-15 and Under-19 cricket, represented Lahore District, played first-class cricket, represented National Bank, and also played in England.

Although some dreams remained unfulfilled, I view my journey positively. I was a left-arm fast bowler and might still be playing if not for my back injury, but now it is physically difficult for me to return to the field,” he said.
 

PSL to go ahead sans spectators, matches limited to Lahore and Karachi amid austerity drive​

News Desk
March 22, 2026

1774178553345.png

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday that the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) would go ahead sans spectators while matches would be held only in Karachi and Lahore in line with the government’s austerity drive.

The tournament, which is set to begin on March 26, will feature eight teams and 44 matches. It was initially scheduled to be held across six venues — Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan, Peshawar, and Faisalabad.

However, addressing a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, the PCB chairman said the board, after holding consultations with the government and security agencies, had decided that the tournament “will go ahead as scheduled [..] but a few difficult decisions had to be taken”.

Noting the government’s austerity drive, which was launched in the wake of the global fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israel’s war on Iran and aimed at fuel saving measures, the PCB chairman said, “On one hand, 25,000 to 30,000 people will be gathering at stadiums and on the other hand, we are telling people to restrict their movement.

“So until this crisis ends […] we will not allow crowds in the stadiums,” Naqvi said, adding that it was a “difficult decision” which had to be taken.

He further announced the cancellation of the PSL’s opening ceremony in line with the government’s efforts to minimise expenses.
 
Naqvi also announced that matches would only be held in two cities — Lahore and Karachi. He said the decision was taken to “limit movement”, adding that the schedule would be announced soon.

He also took the opportunity to apologise to the fans in Peshawar, where matches were scheduled to be held. “I had made a promise but unfortunately because of the situation, we could not go ahead,” he said.

He added that those who had already bought tickets for the matches “will be given refunds within 72 hours”.

Naqvi said that the players would begin arriving “today and tomorrow”.

“We cannot postpone because we did not have any window to hold it later in the year,” the PCB chairman said, adding that “we must not go forward with a limited mindset”.

“Technically, it was up to the PCB to decide, but we have taken all the franchises into confidence,” Naqvi added.

Two weeks ago, the government announced unprecedented austerity measures to cope with the fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran after hiking petroleum products’ prices earlier this month.

The measures included a 50 per cent cut in fuel allowance for official vehicles and a four-day work week. It was also decided that 50pc of staff in the public sector would work from home; however, those providing essential services are exempt.
 
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
 
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
 
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
 
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
 
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)

Pakistan Defence Latest

Country Watch Latest

Latest Posts

Share this page

Back
Top