BREAKING NEWS
Indian actor Pradeep Rawat dies at 74 after cancer battle • Mrunal Thakur warns of legal action over AI-generated deepfake content • Fazlur Rehman warns against politicizing debate over new provinces • Pakistan posts 387, secures first-innings lead over West Indies • Pakistan exempt from new US visa bond program • Trump voices concern over oil company profits amid Iran conflict • West Indies all out for 344 against Pakistan in first innings • Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly set to marry Georgina Rodriguez on Aug 8 • Trump says Gulf States backed diplomatic path with Iran • Fuel theft surges across UK as rising prices drive daily losses • Why ‘Inception’ remains one of Hollywood’s most rewatchable films • ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ opens with $355m worldwide • Secret wedding allegation involving Varma and Urmila resurfaces • Bilawal Bhutto alleges rigging in AJK elections • PM orders comprehensive performance review of federal ministries
Advertise with us >

Multan Sultans

Walee Tech acquires Multan for Rs2.45b, renames team Rawalpindi

by
Wilee Tech acquires

LAHORE: Walee Tech has acquired the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan for Rs2.45 billion, making it the most expensive franchise in the league’s history, and announced that the team will now be renamed Rawalpindi.

The auction ceremony for the Multan Sultans franchise was held in Lahore, where five bidders participated. The base price for the franchise was set at Rs1.82 billion.

After a competitive bidding process, Walee Tech secured ownership rights for a period of 10 years at a record price of Rs2.45 billion.

Following the completion of the auction, Wilee Tech’s management formally announced the change of the team’s name from Multan to Rawalpindi.

Addressing a press conference, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi congratulated Walee Tech on the successful acquisition and thanked former PCB chairman Najam Sethi for establishing the Multan Sultan franchise. He also appreciated all bidders for their participation in the transparent auction process.

Mohsin Naqvi said the sale was the result of months of hard work and strategic planning aimed at maximizing the franchise’s value.

He revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed happiness over the successful outcome, adding that some critics had earlier claimed the team would not even reach a valuation of Rs1 billion.

“The increase in the franchise value reflects the vision behind the PSL,” Naqvi said, adding that the league aims to grow beyond Pakistan and establish itself as a major global cricket event with top international players.

However, the PCB chairman also expressed personal sadness over the name change, stating that Multan Sultans had become a strong and historic brand over the years.

He acknowledged the efforts of PSL CEO Salman Naseer in building the franchise and said the matter of branding would be considered carefully in the future.

Ali Tareen looks to regain ownership of Multan Sultans

by
Ali Tareen

LAHORE: Former owner of the Multan Sultans, Ali Tareen, is reportedly keen to buy back the Pakistan Super League(PSL) team.

Sources indicate that Ali Tareen has decided to participate in the bidding process for the Multan franchise and has submitted the necessary documents for consideration.

Earlier, Tareen had declined to retain ownership of Multan SultanS and had also expressed interest in bidding for two new PSL teams, though he withdrew at the last moment.

Commenting on his withdrawal from the new team bids, Tareen had stated that if he returns to PSL, it would be for Southern Punjab.

The auction for the Multan franchise is expected to take place on 8th or 9th February.

PCB fixes base price for PSL’s new franchises ahead of auction

by
PCB fixes

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly almost tripled the value of all six existing Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises, while setting a price of PKR 1.3 billion per year for each of the two new franchises.

Although no official announcement has been made by PCB regarding the exact figures, media reports suggest that the new valuations are significantly higher than before. Unlike 2016, when franchise prices were quoted in US dollars, all financial transactions are now being conducted in Pakistani rupees.

To attract investors for the two new franchises and the Multan Sultans, PCB organized a grand roadshow in London.

The Board has shortlisted six cities—Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Hyderabad, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit—from which two cities will be selected to expand the PSL to eight teams.

PCB also plans to hold a roadshow in New York as part of its global investment strategy, aiming to draw international investors’ attention before the auction of the two new franchises.

The initiative highlights the PSL’s commercial potential, international following, and long-term growth prospects.

PCB summons emergency meeting after PSL franchises’ request

by
PCB summons

LAHORE: A key meeting between the Pakistan Super League (PSL) management and franchise owners has been scheduled for Tuesday, following a request made by the team owners during their recent discussions with the league administration, sources confirmed.

According to reliable sources, franchise representatives had raised several concerns regarding the PSL 2026 and 2027 editions, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to convene the session. The meeting will be held at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and attended by all six franchises, including Multan Sultans.

Franchise owners have sought detailed briefings on commercial affairs, the event window, and the EY (Ernst & Young) evaluation report, sources added. They have also demanded clarification regarding the two-year title sponsorship agreement process, which will be discussed during the session.

PCB officials are expected to present their stance on these matters and share the league’s roadmap for the next phase.

The PCB has already decided to add two new teams to the PSL, expanding the league from six to eight franchises. As the tournament marks its 10-year milestone, new franchise agreements are expected to be finalized later this month.

PSL CEO Salman Naseer said that the league’s matches will soon extend beyond the current venues — Lahore, Karachi, Multan, and Rawalpindi — to include Faisalabad and Peshawar.

He further revealed that tenders for the new franchises will be issued in November, and interested parties will be able to choose from a list of proposed city names for their teams.

Multan Sultans’ owner Ali Tareen tears up PCB’s legal notice

by
Multan Sultans

MULTAN: Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has torn up a legal notice sent to him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), declaring that he refuses to be intimidated.

In a video message posted on social media, Tareen revealed that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) management had issued him a legal notice demanding that he withdraw his critical remarks and issue an apology. The notice also warned of the termination of his franchise agreement and the possibility of being blacklisted.

Tareen stated firmly that he would not remain silent in the face of such threats. “If you think I will be silenced by intimidation, you are mistaken,” he said.

Expressing his deep affection for the PSL, Tareen said, “I love this league — it belongs to the entire nation.” He added that he was willing to sit down and resolve the issues but lamented that the PCB had not made any attempt to contact him. “No one has made a single call or sent an email to understand my concerns,” he remarked.

In his latest video message, Tareen offered what appeared to be a tongue-in-cheek apology, saying, “I apologize for demanding that competent people be included in the PSL management. I also apologize for criticizing the draft process, training facilities, and the opening ceremony.”

The PCB had earlier issued a legal notice to the Multan Sultans franchise, accusing it of violating contractual clauses and running a campaign that damaged the reputation of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

According to sources, the notice was served for breaches of the 10-year franchise agreement. If the franchise fails to provide a satisfactory response, the PCB may terminate the contract and blacklist the franchise owners.