Multan Sultans’ Owner Ali Tareen Criticises PCB for Overlooking PSL Shortcomings

Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) landmark season X will be remembered for many unforgettable moments on the field, but it will also go down as the season when the budding tensions between Ali Tareen and the PCB fully came to the fore.

People were reminded of the animosity once more after the Multan Sultans owner publicly criticised the PCB for what he called a misguided celebration of the Pakistan Super League’s recent performance.

The PCB recently conducted a debriefing session in Lahore to apprise all stakeholders of the strides made by the PSL during last year, before posting a video claiming satisfaction from all parties involved.

Responding to that statement, which hailed the PSL’s growth and consistency, Ali Tareen took to social media to highlight several areas where the league has, in his view, fallen short.

“Applause? You must be kidding,” Tareen wrote on X, listing a series of concerns that he believes have been ignored. He pointed out that television viewership has declined and fans’ disinterest in coming to the stadium has led to a significant drop in attendance. He also noted that social media engagement has slowed compared to past seasons.

Empty stadiums in Karachi and Lahore during PSL X were a common sight, and PCB has yet to provide any information how it plans to overcome this issue in future editions.

Beyond the numbers, he raised issues about the operational side of the tournament. Ali Tareen labelled team logistics “shambolic” and described the player draft as “comical,” suggesting that poor planning has affected the league’s professionalism and reputation.

“And they want a standing ovation?” he wrote, arguing that the PCB should focus on fixing these problems instead of taking a victory lap. “Skip the victory lap and address the slide. Fans notice.”

Ali Tareen’s gripes about these very real issues with the PCB and PSL are not new. Throughout last season, he constantly brought attention to PSL’s shortcomings and called out the PCB for failing to address his concerns.

While the PCB continues to manufacture plaudits for its work, Ali Tareen’s comments underline a growing disconnect between the board’s narrative and the concerns of franchise owners.

As one of the most prominent figures involved in the PSL, Ali Tareen has repeatedly called for improvements in planning, marketing, and fan engagement. His latest remarks put further pressure on the PCB to address operational weaknesses ahead of the next edition.

With the PSL facing rising expectations and intense competition for viewers, how the board responds to these criticisms may play a key role in shaping the league’s future.