Ali Tareen withdraws from PSL auction as PCB assumes control of Multan Sultans

Islamabad (Web Desk): Ali Tareen has announced that he will not be participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise auction, as the tournament prepares for expansion to eight teams ahead of its 11th edition.

This announcement comes on the same day that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to auction two new franchises at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, with 10 bidders having qualified for the final stage.

Tareen, who previously owned the Multan Sultans franchise, made the announcement on social media platform X, where he reflected on his journey with the team and its deep connection to South Punjab.

“After careful consideration, my family and I have decided not to participate in today’s PSL franchise auction,” Tareen shared with his followers. He emphasized that his involvement with Multan Sultans was never purely about business. "Our time with Multan Sultans was never just about owning a cricket team. It was about South Punjab. About giving a voice to a region that had been overlooked for too long. That’s what drove everything we built,” he wrote.

Tareen further clarified that any potential return to the PSL would be motivated by the same connection to South Punjab. “If I come back to the PSL, it has to be for the same reason. South Punjab is where my heart is. It is home,” he explained. He also mentioned that he would support the tournament from the stands this season, saying, “This year, I’ll be cheering for the players and celebrating with the fans. And when the Multan team is being sold, we’ll be ready.”

In his concluding message, Tareen wished all the remaining bidders good luck in the auction. “Wishing all the bidders the best. May the most outspoken owner win,” he wrote.

Tareen’s decision marks a significant shift in the ownership landscape of the PSL, as he continues to remain deeply connected to the South Punjab region while supporting the ongoing expansion of the tournament.