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Ali Tareen ditches PCB at the last minute, pulls out of PSL Team Auction

Akshita Patel

Ali Tareen continues his fight against PCB, PSL [Source: @Cricbyusman/X.com]Ali Tareen continues his fight against PCB, PSL [Source: @Cricbyusman/X.com]

Ali Tareen Khan has officially pulled out of the PSL 2026 franchise auction, ending speculation about his possible return to the league. The former Multan Sultans owner confirmed that he will not participate in the bidding process due to a lack of representation for the South Punjab region.

The PSL franchise auction will be held in Islamabad at the Jinnah Convention Centre on January 8, where technically approved bidders will compete for ownership of the two new teams. 

The PCB has shortlisted six cities, such as Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit.

Ali Tareen Khan decided against a PSL return

Meanwhile, despite losing control of Multan Sultans, Ali Tareen’s company, DSM Builders, was among the technically qualified bidders for the new franchises, raising strong expectations of his return. 

But just hours before the auction took place, Tareen had withdrawn from the bidding process. In a social media message, Khan said his time with Multan was about representing South Punjab, not just owning a cricket team. 

Ali Tareen's tweet [Source: @aliktareen/X.com]Ali Tareen's tweet [Source: @aliktareen/X.com]

He added that if he returns to the PSL, it will only be for the same region and when the Multan franchise is put up for sale again.

Ali Tareen also took a dig at the PCB and PSL management, saying outspoken owners must win the auction.

Ali Tareen’s feud with PCB is still fresh

Under Ali Tareen, Multan Sultans achieved success and won their first PSL title in 2021 and reached multiple finals. However, relations between Tareen and the PCB began to deteriorate in early 2025. 

Tareen openly criticised the league’s management, financial transparency, and renewal process. He questioned claims that the PSL was growing without seeing improvements in attendance, broadcast value and team economics.

In September 2025, the PCB sent him a legal notice accusing him of breaching his franchise agreement and making false and defamatory statements. 

Tareen responded publicly, even tearing up the notice on camera, and continued to criticise the board’s leadership and decision-making. 

By November 2025, Ali Tareen announced he would not renew his ownership contract and quit as owner of the franchise. A month later, the PCB officially took over operational control of the Multan Sultans.

The franchise is expected to be put up for sale again next year.

PCB adds a 7th bidder for PSL team auction

The PSL expansion race has picked up serious momentum after the PCB confirmed its seventh qualified bidder for the two new franchises. 

Prism Estate & Builders is the latest group cleared to take part in the auction. The PCB announced the development through its official channels, just hours after revealing a sixth bidder. 

Other bidders include Invert-X Energy, OZ Group, VGO Tel, JazzCash, and I2C. As for the process, the highest bidder will get first choice of city, followed by the second-highest. 

The PSL is set to expand from six teams to eight, with the next season scheduled from March 26 to May 3 if timelines remain on track.