PSL CEO Calls for Restraint After Tareen Tears Legal Notice

The tension around the Pakistan Super League isn’t cooling anytime soon. A viral video, a torn legal notice, and now a firm but composed response from the league’s top man, it’s been quite a week in Pakistan cricket.

PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer finally broke his silence after Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen’s public outburst against the Pakistan Cricket Board. His message was clear: he wants professionalism first, and silence where it matters most.

“You want me to do the same thing they’re doing, to tarnish the reputation of this league. I can’t do that,” Naseer told reporters. He also added. “If this matter is to be discussed, it will be done in the boardroom, legally. And if it’s to be resolved, it will happen behind closed doors.”

That last phrase, “Behind closed doors," stuck with everyone. In a sport where every feud finds a camera, Naseer drew a line.

The backdrop to all this is the video Tareen posted on X, where he offered what looked more like satire than apology. Reading from the PCB’s legal notice, he questioned how communication had broken down so badly that the board had to reach him through lawyers instead of a phone call.

“I never received a single call, message, email, or invitation asking to meet and resolve these issues together,” Tareen said, before dramatically ripping up the document. His closing words were cutting. “So, I hope you like my apology video.”

Tareen has often spoken about transparency in franchise dealings, but tearing up a legal notice on camera? That was a twist even his critics didn’t predict.

The PCB’s notice accused Tareen of breaching clauses in the PSL’s long-term franchise agreement and warned of severe consequences, including possible termination of Multan Sultans’ contract. The gesture of defiance turned the issue from legal to public in a matter of hours.

Naseer didn’t take the bait. Instead, he urged restraint, saying the PSL’s image had to rise above individual disagreements. “Saying anything more would only add fuel to the fire,” he said. It was as much a message to his colleagues as it was to the media.

Behind the scenes, insiders say the board is divided on how to handle the matter. Some believe Tareen’s comments crossed a line. Others think the entire exchange could have been handled privately before it spiraled.

The episode also comes at a time when the PSL is preparing for its biggest expansion yet. Naseer confirmed the addition of two new teams, taking the league to eight franchises next season. “Even the decision to have eight teams wasn’t an easy one,” he said. “It’s not like we just woke up one morning and decided it.”

According to him, the board is working hard and they have evaluated player depth, scheduling windows, sponsor commitments, and also the broadcast interest before taking the step. “You have to look at how big your talent pool is, whether we have enough national players to keep the PSL as competitive as it’s known to be.”

The PSL’s strength has always been its tight contests and loyal fan base. Expansion brings opportunity, but it also tests balance. Naseer admitted that more data will be reviewed before considering further growth. “When that stage comes again, we’ll look into it,” he said. “But for now, there’s a lot of excitement. The auction process for the new teams will be very competitive.”

Fans, meanwhile, remain divided. Some praise Tareen’s bluntness, saying it reflects frustration shared by many franchise owners. Others argue he’s gone too far and risked the league’s credibility. Either way, the debate has taken on a life of its own.

That one video flipped the mood around the PSL completely. What began as routine off-season chatter has turned into a conversation about power, communication, and control within one of cricket’s most popular leagues.

And in the middle of all this noise, Salman Naseer is standing firm. He is quiet, cautious, and determined to keep the drama where he says it belongs, “behind closed doors.”