PCB Opens Bids For Multan Sultans Ownership Rights

The Pakistan Cricket Board has formally invited bids for Multan Sultans ownership rights, signalling the start of a carefully structured transition for one of the Pakistan Super League’s most competitive teams.

An advertisement issued on Wednesday confirmed that interested parties can now submit documents for technical proposals. The board has made it clear that only bidders who clear the technical phase will be allowed to move forward. Financial offers will follow later, once eligibility is locked in.

A Controlled Process, Not a Rush Sale

The January 30 deadline applies strictly to technical submissions. Behind the scenes, officials are keen to avoid shortcuts. Sources familiar with the plan say the PCB wants owners who bring long-term value rather than short-term flash.

This step also reshapes earlier expectations for Multan Sultans franchise sale. Initial thinking pointed towards the board running the team for a season before a full auction in 2027. That approach has now shifted, largely influenced by strong market appetite shown during recent expansions.

Last month, the PCB confirmed it would control Multan Sultans once the current ownership agreement expires on December 31, 2025. Operating the franchise directly was expected to reduce annual costs by nearly $4 million. Still, internal assessments highlighted a trade-off, including the loss of an $8.5 million franchise fee for that period.

Momentum from recent sales altered the equation, and the impressive valuations fetched by new franchises made it clear the market was ready now, not later. That confidence has pushed the PSL franchise bidding process forward sooner than planned.

Background Tensions and Market Value

Former owner Ali Tareen publicly stepped away in November, ending a relationship that had grown increasingly strained over the past year. Multan Sultans were originally sold for $5.2 million, a record figure at the time and double what Karachi Kings paid in the same cycle.

Since then, the league’s financial landscape has changed. Hyderabad and Sialkot entered the competition at significantly higher prices, reinforcing the belief that Multan remains a premium asset in any PSL franchise bidding scenario.

What Happens Next

The PCB will run Multan Sultans for the 11th edition of the PSL, set to take place from March 26 to May 3, 2026. An interim structure is expected within days, with a seasoned cricket professional likely to take charge of team operations and guide the bidding strategy for Multan Sultans’ ownership rights.

Once the tournament ends, the board plans to move swiftly, and the Multan Sultans franchise sale is no longer a future discussion.