ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been thrown into fresh controversy after Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen publicly tore up a legal notice sent by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing the board of intimidation and censorship.
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league. The most recent season, the 10th edition (PSL X), took place from April 11 to May 25, 2025. The Pakistan Cricket Board issued a termination threat to the Multan Sultans franchise in October 2025 following a dispute and public criticism by the team owner.
In a video message posted on social media after issuance of a legal notice, Tareen said the PCB had demanded he retract his “critical statements” and issue a public apology, warning that failure to do so could result in the termination of his franchise rights and his blacklisting from future PSL participation.
“I’m not afraid of threats,” Tareen declared. “If demanding professional management in the PSL is a crime, then I’m sorry — but I won’t stay silent.”
In the video, he could be seen holding what appeared to be the legal notice sent by the PSL management, saying he wished to apologise — but also demanded higher standards from the league’s organisers.
Delivering a series of pointed remarks at the PSL leadership, he concluded the video by dramatically tearing up what seemed to be the legal notice in front of the camera.
The PSL Management has sent me a notice threatening to cancel Multan Sultans unless I offer them a public apology. Hazir Saeen. pic.twitter.com/yHWCcClXaD
— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) October 23, 2025
The Multan Sultans administration later defended Tareen’s remarks, insisting his criticism was “constructive” and aimed at “improving the league’s standards,” not maligning its reputation.
PCB Cites Contract Violations, Defends League Integrity
Tareen first ignited controversy in April by posting a podcast clip on X (formerly Twitter) questioning the PCB’s pre-season preparations, accusing the board of recycling old ideas and lacking innovation. “How is PSL 10 bigger and better? Same games, same teams — what’s new? Fed up with hollow words,” he wrote.
Amid backlash from fellow franchise owners, he later clarified that his comments were “meant to push for real growth, not negativity,” praising the PCB team and calling for unity among owners.
However, tensions resurfaced in July when Tareen criticised a PCB video celebrating PSL 10’s “success,” saying declining TV ratings, low attendance, and reduced digital engagement were “no cause for applause.”
The PCB, however, maintains that Tareen’s repeated public statements violated contractual obligations and damaged the PSL’s image. In a statement, the board said it had issued a formal suspension notice after “necessary legal procedures,” adding that it remains committed to upholding “the integrity and professional standards” of the tournament.
According to media reports, the notice warned of the potential termination of Multan Sultans’ franchise agreement and the future disqualification of its owner. A senior PCB official, quoted by Dawn, said Tareen’s comments “crossed professional boundaries” and undermined the league’s credibility.
Power Struggles and Transparency Issues Within the PSL
A spokesperson for Multan Sultans told Dawn that the PCB’s recent legal notice “was not a termination order” but contained threats to end the franchise agreement and permanently bar Ali Tareen from owning any cricket team in the future.
In a follow-up statement, the franchise defended Tareen, saying his comments were aimed at improving the PSL, not undermining it. It accused the PCB of treating “constructive criticism as a crime,” calling the move “petty” and “a sign of intolerance toward accountability.”
The episode has further strained relations between franchises and the board, with several stakeholders now urging greater transparency and fairer governance within the PSL.
According to Dawn, the dispute marks the latest sign of strain between PSL franchises and the governing body. Analysts say it reflects deeper concerns over transparency, governance, and revenue-sharing within Pakistan’s most successful sporting brand.
Since its launch in 2016, the PSL has transformed Pakistan’s cricket economy and global image. Yet, recurring disputes over management decisions, commercial direction, and communication between the board and franchises continue to cast a shadow over its growth.
Industry insiders warn that escalating tensions could deter investment and dampen the league’s appeal at a time when rival T20 leagues in the region are rapidly expanding.
