High Hyderabad and Sialkot prices encourage PCB to reconsider delaying Multan Sultans sale

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering selling the Multan Sultans franchise as soon as legally possible, reversing its earlier stance of delaying the sale until after the conclusion of the upcoming 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). ESPNcricinfo understands that senior PCB and PSL officials are actively discussing the move, with final approval pending from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

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The shift in thinking has been driven by the record-breaking sale of two new PSL teams, Hyderabad and Sialkot, which were auctioned for PKR 1.75 billion and PKR 1.85 billion respectively. These figures far exceeded PCB expectations and were nearly three times higher than the franchise fee of Lahore Qalandars, previously the most valuable PSL team.

PSL officials believe the strong auction results have created an ideal market environment to secure a maximum valuation for Multan Sultans. Unlike the two newly introduced teams, Multan is an established franchise, having featured in eight PSL seasons and winning the PSL title in 2021. Its proven on-field success and brand recognition are expected to attract strong interest from potential buyers.

At a press conference following the auction, PSL chief executive Salman Naseer revealed that he had urged the chairman to capitalise on the moment. “Stage saja hua hai, Multan bhi announce kar dein,” Naseer said, suggesting the auction conditions were perfect. Mohsin Naqvi responded by stating that he had personally taken responsibility for running the franchise to demonstrate its profitability. Naseer added, partly in jest, that he would continue pressing for an early sale before the season begins.

Despite these discussions, no final decision has yet been taken.

Last month, Naqvi had stated that the PCB would temporarily take control of Multan Sultans for the 2026 PSL season, scheduled to run from late March to early May. He had indicated that the franchise would be auctioned shortly after the tournament’s conclusion and that an acting head would be appointed in the interim. However, that proposed timeline has already passed, with no official announcement regarding management or coaching staff.

Naqvi also explained at the time that PPRA (Public Procurement Regulatory Authority) rules prevented Multan Sultans from being auctioned alongside Hyderabad and Sialkot. Since the franchise’s previous ownership under Ali Tareen ended only on December 31, there was insufficient time to meet the required advance advertising period for the auction.

While some within the PCB believe waiting until next year could result in an even higher sale price—especially if PSL 11 proves commercially successful—the recent auction has shown that international investors are willing to pay significantly more than previously estimated for PSL franchises. This has strengthened the case for an earlier sale, as officials weigh immediate gains against potential future value.

For now, Multan Sultans’ future ownership remains undecided, but momentum within the PCB suggests that a sale before or shortly after PSL 11 is increasingly likely.