In a significant development for Pakistan's premier T20 league, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will directly manage the Multan Sultans franchise for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season. The board has decided to step in following the controversial exit of the previous owner, with plans to sell the franchise after the tournament concludes.
PCB Steps In After Owner's Exit
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi made the official announcement during a press conference, outlining the board's interim plan. The franchise will be operated by the PCB for PSL 2026, after which it will be put up for auction and sold to a new owner. This decision comes in the wake of former owner Ali Tareen's departure from the franchise he had owned since its inception in 2018.
Tareen cited financial pressures as the reason for stepping away. However, his exit was marred by a public dispute with the cricket board. The PCB sent a legal notice to Tareen, accusing him of failing to comply with the ownership agreement and demanding a formal apology. In a defiant response, Tareen released a video where he offered a sarcastic apology and physically tore up the legal notice.
New Management and Overlap with IPL
To ensure smooth operations for the season, the PCB will appoint a professional management team. Naqvi stated that an acting head for the franchise will be named within the next eight to ten days. Furthermore, a former professional cricketer will be brought on board to lead and manage the Multan Sultans throughout PSL 11.
The 2026 season of the PSL is scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3. This revised calendar means the league will overlap with the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the second consecutive year, setting up a potential clash for viewership attention. In other expansion news, the auction for two brand new PSL franchises is set for January 8, 2026, with as many as ten bidders expected to participate.
PSL's Competitive Landscape
The Pakistan Super League continues to be a fiercely contested tournament. Historically, Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars are the most successful teams, each having won three titles. The Lahore Qalandars are also the defending champions heading into the new season. The board's direct involvement with Multan Sultans adds an intriguing administrative layer to the competition's narrative for 2026.
This move by the PCB ensures stability for one of its key franchises during a transition period, aiming to maintain the league's commercial and competitive integrity before seeking a permanent owner.
