KEY POINTS
- Technical bid submission deadline is 3 PM on January 30, 2026.
- PCB Chairman Naqvi aims to prove franchise is profitable after claims of it being ‘loss-hit’.
- Sale process coincides with the PSL expanding to eight teams.
LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has initiated the process to sell the franchise rights of the Multan Sultans, inviting new investors to be part of a new era for the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The board published a formal advertisement in leading newspapers on Wednesday, marking a pivotal step in its strategy to demonstrate the franchise’s commercial viability before a full transfer of ownership.
Opportunity for new owners
The advertisement positions the Multan Sultans, a team that joined the PSL in 2018, as an established entity with a strong fan base.
The PCB described the franchise as a “compelling opportunity” for interested parties to acquire and build upon its legacy, aiming to take the team to “unprecedented heights.”
Interested bidders must obtain official bid documents directly from the PCB.
The deadline for submitting technical proposals is set for 3:00 PM on January 30, 2026, with the opening of proposals to follow on the same day.
The board has stipulated that only technically qualified bidders will advance to the subsequent financial bidding stage.
All official communication has been directed through the email address [email protected].
Chairman’s challenge: Proving profitability
This move follows a public challenge laid down by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Speaking at the auction ceremony for two new PSL franchises last week, Naqvi directly addressed social media narratives labelling Multan Sultans as a ‘loss-hit’ franchise.
“I took a challenge,” Naqvi stated, “that there were a lot of claims on social media that the team was in losses. So I, and all of the team, decided that we would show you how much profit this business offers, publish the numbers before going for the auction.”
Confirming the board’s plan, Naqvi announced that the PCB would continue to operate the Multan Sultans during the upcoming PSL 11 season, set to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026.
The franchise will be offered to new owners thereafter, a deliberate strategy to showcase its financial potential after another season under the board’s management.
Sale coincides with PSL expansion
The invitation for bids coincides with a period of significant growth for the league.
The PCB recently completed a successful expansion auction, officially adding Hyderabad and Sialkot as the PSL’s seventh and eighth franchises.
This expansion to an eight-team competition sets the stage for a more extensive PSL 11, promising an extended season of high-octane T20 cricket for fans nationwide.
