Multan Sultans to get new owners after Ali Tareen ends PSL association

Ahead of the next Pakistan Super League (PSL) season, Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen Khan has officially stepped down from the franchise. His decision comes after a prolonged dispute with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the renewal process, valuation, and contract terms. Tareen confirmed his exit through a heartfelt message on social media, recording the end of a turbulent phase for the team.

Notably, the PSL is undergoing a structural reformation, with every franchise being re-evaluated following a systematic audit. Under the new system, all teams are required to sign fresh contracts based on updated valuations. While most franchises were presented with renewed offers, Multan Sultans were not among them, primarily due to an unresolved standoff between Tareen and the PCB. This dispute eventually pushed the franchise into an uncertain phase, leading to Tareen’s decision not to continue.

The Multan Sultans franchise, originally purchased for PKR 1.1 billion, was recently revalued at around PKR 850 million, making it the only PSL team to witness a decline in value. Despite this lower valuation, Ali Tareen was reportedly asked to pay the original purchase amount along with an additional 25% to secure renewal, as per the league’s contractual framework. Tareen strongly opposed this requirement, calling it financially unreasonable and inconsistent with the valuation audit.

This disagreement triggered a tense exchange between the parties. The PCB did not issue the Multan Sultans a renewal offer, leading to a breakdown in negotiations. Tareen’s public criticism of the board further escalated matters, especially when he spoke up about a legal notice sent by the PCB warning of potential contract termination. He accused the board of mishandling franchise concerns and ignoring constructive criticism.

PCB to finalise new ownership once Tareen formally exits

Despite the issues, Ali Tareen maintained that his frustration was not rooted in financial loss. In his farewell message, he emphasised that his family, particularly his late uncle Alamgir Tareen, invested in the franchise to uplift South Punjab through sports and community development. He accepted facing financial challenges during his tenure but insisted that money was never the reason to step away. Instead, he revealed that he could not compromise on principles or participate in a process he saw as unfair.

Tareen thanked Multan Sultans fans for their support and described leading the franchise as one of the greatest honours of his life. He also paid tribute to Alamgir Tareen, whose vision on use cricket to build identity and pride for South Punjab. Despite his exit, Tareen is expected to support regional sports and youth programmes.

While his departure has raised concerns about the team’s future, Multan Sultans has not been disbanded. PCB is expected to finalise new ownership once Tareen’s exit is formally completed. The franchise will continue to compete in the upcoming PSL season under a different management structure.