PCB to take over Multan Sultans in 2026

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will take control of the PSL team Multan Sultans in 2026 after the current ownership deal ends on December 31, 2025, according to official sources.

PCB sources say a final policy decision is likely within a week. Under the plan, the PCB will run the Multan Sultans team for one season. After that, the franchise will be sold to a new owner through an auction in 2027.

If this plan goes ahead, the PCB could save around $4 million in one year. This is because it would not need to pay $3 million from the central pool and $1 million in sponsorship money. However, an audit report says the PCB will also miss out on the franchise fee for that year, which is $8.5 million.

In November, current owner Ali Tareen announced on social media that he was leaving the franchise. Sources say relations between the PCB and Ali Tareen had been tense for the past year, and the situation could not be resolved.

Multan Sultans became the sixth team in the PSL when it was first awarded to the Schon Group for $5.2 million, making it the most expensive team at that time. Later, the deal was cancelled after payments were not made.

In December 2018, Alamgir Tareen and his nephew Ali Tareen bought the franchise for $6.3 million. Since then, Multan Sultans have been one of the strongest teams in the PSL. However, ongoing disagreements with the PCB have now led to a change in the team’s ownership and management.

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