Ali Tareen has announced he will not take part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise auction, as the tournament prepares to expand to eight teams ahead of its 11th edition.
The decision comes on the day the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to auction two new franchises at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, with 10 bidders having qualified for the final stage.
Tareen, who owned the Multan Sultans franchise, confirmed his decision in a post on social media platform X, reflecting on his association with the team and its connection to South Punjab.
“After careful consideration, my family and I have decided not to participate in today’s PSL franchise auction,” Tareen wrote.
He stressed that his involvement in the PSL had always gone beyond commercial interests. “Our time with Multan Sultans was never just about owning a cricket team. It was about South Punjab. About giving a voice to a region that had been overlooked for too long. That’s what drove everything we built,” he said.
Tareen added that any future return to the PSL would remain closely tied to that same motivation. “If I come back to PSL, it has to be for the same reason. South Punjab is where my heart is. It is home,” he said, adding that he would watch this season from the stands. “This year, I’ll be cheering for the players and celebrating with the fans. And when the Multan team is being sold, we’ll be ready.”
He ended his message by wishing the remaining bidders well. “Wishing all the bidders the best. May the most outspoken owner win,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, the PCB has confirmed it will temporarily operate the Multan Sultans for PSL 11, which is scheduled to run from March to May. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the board would manage the franchise for one season before putting it up for sale after the tournament.
“Multan Sultans will be operated by the PCB this year,” Naqvi said at a media conference. “Once the PSL concludes, we will carry out the auction process and put the franchise up for sale.”
Naqvi added that an interim management setup would be announced soon, with a professional cricketer expected to oversee the team’s operations during the upcoming season.
The PSL auction and Multan Sultans’ interim status mark a significant moment in the league’s expansion, as the PCB looks to strengthen the tournament’s commercial and competitive structure.
The decision comes on the day the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to auction two new franchises at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, with 10 bidders having qualified for the final stage.
Tareen, who owned the Multan Sultans franchise, confirmed his decision in a post on social media platform X, reflecting on his association with the team and its connection to South Punjab.
“After careful consideration, my family and I have decided not to participate in today’s PSL franchise auction,” Tareen wrote.
He stressed that his involvement in the PSL had always gone beyond commercial interests. “Our time with Multan Sultans was never just about owning a cricket team. It was about South Punjab. About giving a voice to a region that had been overlooked for too long. That’s what drove everything we built,” he said.
Tareen added that any future return to the PSL would remain closely tied to that same motivation. “If I come back to PSL, it has to be for the same reason. South Punjab is where my heart is. It is home,” he said, adding that he would watch this season from the stands. “This year, I’ll be cheering for the players and celebrating with the fans. And when the Multan team is being sold, we’ll be ready.”
He ended his message by wishing the remaining bidders well. “Wishing all the bidders the best. May the most outspoken owner win,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, the PCB has confirmed it will temporarily operate the Multan Sultans for PSL 11, which is scheduled to run from March to May. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the board would manage the franchise for one season before putting it up for sale after the tournament.
“Multan Sultans will be operated by the PCB this year,” Naqvi said at a media conference. “Once the PSL concludes, we will carry out the auction process and put the franchise up for sale.”
Naqvi added that an interim management setup would be announced soon, with a professional cricketer expected to oversee the team’s operations during the upcoming season.
The PSL auction and Multan Sultans’ interim status mark a significant moment in the league’s expansion, as the PCB looks to strengthen the tournament’s commercial and competitive structure.