Pakistan Cricket Board suspends Multan Sultans
In a dramatic turn of events, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly moved to terminate its agreement with the Multan Sultans franchise following ongoing contract issues. This development comes in the aftermath of Pakistan’s disappointing Asia Cup 2025 campaign and the team’s poor domestic performances. So let’s look at Pakistan Cricket Board suspends Multan Sultans.
PCB Takes Action Against Multan Sultans
According to reports, the PCB has issued a termination notice to the Multan Sultans franchise, citing compliance concerns and ongoing financial disputes. The franchise, which is the most expensive in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with an annual fee of approximately 1.25 billion rupees, managed to win only one out of ten group-stage matches in the 2025 PSL season, finishing at the bottom of the table.
The board is now considering appointing a new owner for the franchise while also exploring the addition of two new teams ahead of the 11th edition of the PSL.
Multan Sultans’ History in the Pakistan Super League
The Multan Sultans joined the PSL in 2017 as the sixth franchise. Initially owned by Schon Properties, the agreement was terminated in 2018 after non-payment of franchise fees. The team was later acquired by Alamgir Khan Tareen and Ali Khan Tareen in December 2018.
Alamgir became the sole owner in 2021, and after his passing in 2023, Ali Tareen took over full control of the team. Despite the ownership transition, the franchise has faced ongoing financial challenges and operational disputes with the PCB.
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PCB Issues Termination Notice
As reported by journalist Saleem Khaliq, the PCB’s decision follows a series of public criticisms made by Ali Tareen, who questioned the league’s structure and management through podcasts and social media platforms. Initially, the board remained silent on his remarks, but recent developments suggest that the PCB has now lost patience and formally sent a termination notice to the franchise.
If disputes are not resolved soon, Multan Sultans may compete in the next PSL season under new ownership. The PCB has already appointed a foreign consultancy firm to reassess the franchise valuations after the completion of their 10-year contracts, and the process is reportedly in its final stages.
PSL 2026 Schedule and Possible IPL Clash
Due to the 2026 ICC World Cup, the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League is expected to be rescheduled to April–May 2026, potentially creating another scheduling conflict with the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This shift could impact player availability and broadcasting rights, further complicating the PSL’s logistical planning.
PCB Reviewing Franchise Compliance
The PCB has also begun a thorough review of franchise compliance to determine if all teams have met their contractual obligations. Multan Sultans, despite their high annual fee, have been incurring financial losses each year, which has led to tensions with the board.
The franchise owners have reportedly requested structural changes to make the league more financially sustainable. However, the PCB cannot reduce the fee for a single team without affecting the league’s overall valuation and the upcoming sale of two new franchises.
If the termination is finalized, current owners of Multan Sultans will be barred from re-entering the bidding process for future PSL teams.
What Lies Ahead for Multan Sultans and PSL
With the termination notice now in place, the future of the Multan Sultans franchise remains uncertain. The PCB’s next steps will not only determine the fate of the franchise but could also reshape the business structure of the Pakistan Super League.
As the evaluation process nears completion, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether the PSL introduces new franchises and ownership models ahead of the 2026 season.
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