PSL 2026: PCB likely to sell Multan Sultans before start of next season

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to reverse its earlier decision to delay the sale of Multan Sultans until after the conclusion of the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The board is now in active discussions to sell the franchise as soon as it is legally possible.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the proposal has the backing of senior officials within the PCB and the PSL, with final approval required from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The renewed push for the sale has been encouraged by the high prices fetched by the two newly added franchises, Hyderabad and Sialkot, which were sold for PKR 1.75 billion and PKR 1.85 billion respectively.

The auction exceeded PCB expectations, with franchise fees nearly three times higher than that of Lahore Qalandars, previously the most valuable PSL team. This has convinced PSL officials that the current market conditions present an ideal opportunity to secure the highest possible valuation for Multan Sultans.

Multan Sultans is an established franchise, having competed in eight PSL seasons and lifting the title in 2021. PSL chief executive Salman Naseer revealed that he had advised Naqvi to complete the sale of the franchise before the start of the upcoming season. However, a final decision is yet to be taken.

Last month, Naqvi had stated that the PCB would temporarily take over Multan Sultans for this year’s PSL, scheduled to run from late March to early May. That timeframe has since passed, with no announcement made regarding officials to oversee the franchise. Naqvi explained at the time that Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules prevented the franchise from being included in the auction, citing insufficient advertising time to properly prepare the sale.

The initial delay was intended to secure a higher valuation if the 11th edition of the PSL proved successful. However, the recent auction results suggest that franchise values may be higher than previously anticipated. If the PCB proceeds with the sale before the tournament begins, the process will need to be completed swiftly.

The PSL is set to begin on March 26, with no clarity yet on the timing of the player draft or auction. Uncertainty also remains over the number of players existing franchises will be allowed to retain and whether squads will be finalised through a draft or an auction.