The ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season saw Chattogram Royals initially owned by Triangle Services. However, the company withdrew just a day before the tournament, citing financial difficulties. To ensure the league went ahead smoothly, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stepped in to take control of the franchise.
Following a similar approach, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will now manage the Multan Sultans for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season.
Last PSL season marked the end of a 10-year franchise agreement with PCB. While Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United renewed their contracts, Multan Sultans did not.
For over a year, Multan owner Ali Khan Tarin had openly criticised PSL management, citing communication gaps and a lack of transparency. PCB reportedly issued a legal notice over alleged contractual breaches, which Tarin publicly dismissed, even tearing up the notice in a video. Despite calls to apologise, he refused.
With the PSL set to begin on 26 March 2026 and foreign player registration already underway, finding a new owner at short notice was challenging. As a result, PCB has decided to oversee Multan Sultans themselves this season, with plans to auction the franchise for new ownership after the tournament.
PCB CEO Mohsin Naqvi said, “PCB will run Multan Sultans for this year. After the PSL ends, we will arrange an auction to sell the franchise. A professional cricketer will be appointed to manage the team, and an interim head will be assigned within the next 8–10 days to oversee operations.”
The 2026 PSL season will feature eight teams, concluding with the final on 3 May. Two additional franchises will also be introduced, with an auction to follow. Winning organisations will be able to select names from cities allocated by PCB, though the new teams are yet to be finalised.
