PCB Declines Renewal After Compliance Issues Surface
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to renew the franchise contract of the Multan Sultans for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) cycle, sources confirmed on Saturday. The move comes after the team allegedly failed to meet key compliance standards required by the league.
While Multan Sultans face exclusion, the remaining five PSL franchises have been offered renewed contracts featuring a 25% increase in value. Franchise owners have been given a 10-day deadline to sign the updated agreements and secure their participation in the next edition of the league.
Sources further claim that Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen publicly criticised PSL management over recent administrative decisions. Tareen even tore up a legal notice issued by the PCB, escalating tensions between the franchise and the board. Although the Sultans submitted a comprehensive proposal letter to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in an attempt to resolve the matter, the board has not yet released an official statement clarifying its final stance.
PCB Opens Bidding for Two New PSL Teams as Expansion Looms
In a significant development, the PCB has initiated a tender process for the sale of the PSL’s seventh and eighth franchises. Interested investors have until December 15 to submit their proposals, after which the new teams will be auctioned to the highest bidders.
The board has shortlisted several cities—Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, Faisalabad, Gilgit, and Rawalpindi—as potential homes for the new teams. This expansion is expected to widen the PSL’s geographical presence and strengthen its fan base across Pakistan.
As Multan Sultans await clarity on their future, the league appears poised for a major structural shift that could redefine its competitive landscape in the seasons ahead.
