KEY WORDS
- PCB shortlists Inverex Solar Energy and OZ Group as bidders for two new PSL franchises.
- Auction will mark the league’s expansion from six to eight teams for its 11th edition.
- Notable bidders include the Tareen Group, led by former Multan Sultans owner.
LAHORE, Pakistan: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday revealed two qualified bidders for the high-stakes auction to acquire the two new Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises, intensifying the build-up to the league’s landmark expansion for its 11th edition.
The board, via a social media post, announced: “Another name added to the list. [OZ Group] of Companies confirmed as Bidder [No. 2] for the HBL PSL Teams Auction.”
This confirmation follows the earlier announcement of Inverex Solar Energy as the first qualified bidder, setting the stage for a competitive sale scheduled for this Thursday at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.
Another name added to the list 🔥@OZGroupOff1cial of Companies confirmed as Bidder #2 for the HBL PSL Teams Auction.
🗓️ 8 January 2026#HBLPSL | #NewEra pic.twitter.com/scW59khqps
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) January 5, 2026
Auction sets stage for major expansion
The auction marks a pivotal moment for the PSL, which will expand from six to eight teams beginning with the upcoming season, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026.
The PCB has been conducting rigorous technical evaluations of proposals from numerous interested consortia, narrowing the field to select qualified bidders for the live auction event.
New challengers in the fray
Among the confirmed bidders generating significant interest is the Tareen Group, led by businessman Ali Khan Tareen.
Tareen is a familiar figure in the PSL ecosystem, having previously owned the Multan Sultans from 2018.
Under his ownership, the Sultans transformed into one of the league’s most successful franchises, clinching the title in 2021 and becoming consistent finalists.
However, Tareen’s previous tenure ended controversially after relations with the PCB soured over renewal terms and governance issues.
He was the only franchise owner not offered a standard 10-year extension, with the dispute escalating into legal notices over alleged contractual breaches.
His exit was finalized at the end of 2025, making him eligible to re-enter the league by bidding for one of the new teams.
Other notable contenders include Karachi-based VGO TEL, led by CEO Naveed Gaba, which has formally entered the race, signalling strong corporate interest in the league’s growth.
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City selection and new horizons
The successful bidders from Thursday’s auction will not only secure franchise rights but will also later have the opportunity to select a home city from a PCB-approved list.
The options include Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit, potentially bringing top-tier franchise cricket to new regions across Pakistan.
The expansion to eight teams is seen as a strategic move to capitalise on the PSL’s massive commercial success and fan engagement, promising a longer, more competitive season and broader national representation.
The cricket community now awaits Thursday’s auction to see which corporate giants will secure a stake in Pakistan’s premier sporting league.
