Ali Tareen is once again being linked with Multan Sultans, with reports claiming he wants to return to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise ownership race as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) prepares to sell the team through an auction.
According to sources, Tareen had shown willingness to take the franchise back at around Rs. 135 crore, a figure tied to Multan’s earlier valuation. The PCB, however, is said to have made it clear that the franchise will not be handed back through a direct deal and that any interested party must participate in the open bidding process.
With PSL team valuations rising sharply after recent franchise sales, the board is now reportedly targeting a higher number for Multan Sultans, hoping the final price lands around Rs. 170–180 crore.
The sale is expected to be one of the biggest money moves of the PSL cycle. PCB insiders believe the Multan Sultans auction could bring in more than Rs. 2 billion, as multiple local and overseas groups have reportedly expressed interest even before bidding begins.
Two companies are also said to be ready to push their bids close to Rs. 2 billion, setting the stage for a competitive auction.
Multan Sultans’ franchise agreement was not renewed earlier after disagreements between the PCB and the previous owners. At one stage, the board had indicated it would run the team itself for PSL 11. But that plan appears to have changed after the PCB successfully sold two new teams at major prices.
The PCB has since issued an advertisement for the franchise sale, and the deadline to submit technical bids is Friday, after which the auction process will decide the winning party.
Former owners have also been trying to re-enter the picture. They participated in the bidding process for the two new teams but were told outstanding dues needed to be cleared to remain eligible, which were reportedly paid immediately.
Sources say they later requested Multan’s return for Rs. 1.35 billion, but PCB officials rejected the idea and reiterated that the only route back is to win the franchise through the auction.
A rich kid from a rich billionaire daddy is buying a team no one cares about lol
No one cares about!!..that not a fair assessment..